Salvia chionophylla (Snowflake sage) - A very low growing ground cover sage typically only grows to a few inches above the ground but spread to 3 feet wide or even to 6 feet wide if really happy. It has 1/2 inch long gray-white small obovate leaves and often roots out along the stems to form a tuft of vertical growth that bears a loose spike of small sky blue flowers appearing sporadically from spring to fall.
Plant in full to part sun in a well-draining soil and irrigate only occasionally to infrequently. Cold hardy to 5 to 10°F and useful in USDA Zones 7b and above. It is noted as growing well in gardens in North Carolina and is drought tolerant and resistant to deer predation. An interesting plant that has attractive flowers but is mostly notable for its near white foliage. It makes an interesting ground cover for spilling over a wall, as a companion to a larger potted plant or as a hanging basket specimen.
This plant comes hills in the Chihuahuan desert in Coahuila, Mexico where it is noted to spread out along the ground much like a strawberry plant in search of moist, fertile soil and in the brilliant desert sun the foliage is whitish, giving a mound of this plant the appearance of a snow drift. The name Salvia comes from the name used by Pliny for a plant in the genus and comes from the Latin word 'salvere' meaning "to save" in reference to the long-believed healing properties of several Sage species and its specific name comes from the Latin words 'chion' meaning "snow" and "phylla" meaning leaf in reference to the near snow-white color of this plants leaves. We received this plant from Betsy Clebsch in 1998 and have sold it since 2001.
The information about Salvia chionophylla displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |