Plant in full sun with a quick-draining soil and water fairly regularly. Cold hardy to 20-25 degrees but established plants can possibly tolerate colder temperatures if protected. This shrub has a graceful presence and bees, moths, butterflies and hummingbirds alike are drawn to the nectar-laden flowers.

Salvia melissodora is native to much of southern Mexico and up to elevations of 4000-8000 feet in the Sierra Madre Occidental region. The name Salvia comes from the Latin name used by Pliny for the plant and comes from the Latin word 'salvere' meaning "to save" in reference to the long-believed healing properties of several Sage species and the specific epithet comes from the Greek word 'melissa' meaning "honey bee" and 'odora' meaning "fragrant". The plant was long used by the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico for medicinal purposes. We received this plant from we got from Betsy Clebsch, author of A Book of Salvias, and grew this nice plant from 2001 until 2008, only discontinuing because sales of it were disappointing. 

The information about Salvia melissodora 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.