Compact White Sage

Everyone should have a White Sage in their yard if they have the space and the sunlight for it! This plant is endemic to Southern California, so planting it is the equivalent of planting a plant that only grows in one tiny sliver of the world— how lucky are we! Even more lucky, this plant smells great and provides pollen for native bees. The species name ‘apiana’ stems from the root word ‘apis’ or ‘Bee’ in Latin. Plant it on a dry slope or in a sunny spot with high heat and watch it grow. Give it a touch of water so it doesn’t go completely dormant and admire its pale foliage and alluring scent.

White Sage can be a fast grower, tip prune for denser habit and cut off flower stalks once they’re spent (leave them on the ground so birds can pick through the seed). Pruning when young creates a well formed individual so do try and give it some good attention in the first two years of its life so you’re set up for success.

Supposedly the variant ‘Compacta’ is a smaller growing variant of White Sage, but I also was watching a video with Bart O’Brien (one of the OG Raid Bosses of California Native plants) and he mentioned that it wasn’t specifically anymore compact than the straight species, just that this particular version of the plant was from the desert regions of California. Come back in 2028 and check in on my parkway Salvia’s and you’ll have your answer then. For now, I look forward to this White Sage growing in my parkway, convincing passersby to stop and smell the sages (far superior to roses in my mind, and far fewer thorns).

Calscape