Description
Salvia mellifera
Exceptionally aromatic woody shrub from the chaparral region of California and Northern Mexico, particularly suited to Mediterranean, low rainfall, and coastal areas. This broadly spreading sage (branches, not roots) grows up to 2 x 2 metres in its natural habitat and can apparently live 20-30 years though, and I certainly hope ours do, they are one of my favourite plants! The scent of the crushed leaves is just incredible due to the volatile oils.
The Native Americans traditionally used the leaves as a condiment and seeds were ground up to make a meal (bearing in mind the vast area of chaparral, this plant is plentiful in its own habitat!). The leaves and stems, which contain pain-relieving diterpenoids, were used medicinally too – a tea was made and left to brew in the sun then rubbed on the painful area or used as a soak (nowadays it is said to be especially potent combined with Epsom salts). The leaves also have cardiac and carminative properties and infusions have been used to treat heart complaints.
The root systems of Black Sage are fibrous and spreading and very good for erosion control. Ours are doing well on banks and hills on sunnier edges of our food forest.
Black Sage has been used for ‘smudging’ since ancient times – to ward off evil, enhance memory, promote restful sleep and vivid dreams, and clear the energy of spaces – just like White Sage.
Black Sages flower from mid Spring to mid Summer; the flowers are small and whitish-blue, and not particularly showy compared to other salvia species, but the bees and butterflies are equally delighted by them. (The species name mellifera is derived from the Greek melli, which means honey and ferre, which means to bear.) A strong peppery honey, much favoured in California, can be produced in good nectar producing years – which is more likely here due to our wetter climate.
Black Sage can be grown in sunny spots in most gardens, as long as it has good drainage. Good drainage will also ensure they come through winter well – they can handle regular frosts to about -3 degrees Celsius and occasional frosts to a bit less, but not if they have wet feet. On the plus side they don’t need watering in summer! In fact they are so well adapated to extreme heat that they will curl or even drop their leaves in the hottest summers, despite being evergreen in winter. Ours have never lost their summer leaves here though.
Certified Organic plant in 11cm pot.
Freight: We can send up to 6 plants this size (in 11cm pots) for the same freight price
More details of freight and packing charges here
