White Sage Properties

White sage (salvia apenia) is a light-gray leafed, drought tolerant bushy shrub, indigenous to the foothills of Southern California. Its range extends from Santa Barbara in the north, to Baja California, Mexico, in the south. It is a valuable wildlife plant but is also useful in the garden. Use white sage on hillsides bordering wilderness areas. White sage has strongly aromatic leaves which Native Americans use along with all parts of the plant for ceremonial and domestic use.

Characteristics

White sage can present wildfire danger

Sage needs fast draining soils. It does well on rocky slopes in full sun. It has an open growth habit, and although almost lush in winter goes dormant in the summer heat. Dry branch buildup and resinous leaves make sage a potential fire hazard in high-risk fire zones. White sage grows at a moderate rate. Grayish white stalks grow vertically then arch towards the fuzz-covered tips. Long pointed light gray to white leaves cover the branches. The leaves are resinous and sticky. In spring, flower stalks shoot up to 3 feet. White blooms open on the tall flower spikes. White sages spread up to 4 feet wide and 3 feet high.

Garden Use

California lilac pairs nicely with white sage.

Plant sage in full sun away from any summer irrigation. It needs excellent drainage. Hillside locations are best. Since white sage goes dormant, use it in informal settings. Bees love sage; best locate it away from play areas. The pungent aroma that makes white sage famous can be overwhelming to some people. Plant California lilac in front of white sage for textural and color contrast.

Wildlife Value

White sage honey has a rich color.

White sage leaves provide forage for mule deer, rabbits, native squirrels and mice. It is a valued honey plant, as bees swarm to the white blossoms. Sage honey has a rich taste and color. Hummingbirds and butterflies drink the flower's nectar. Many native birds eat the seeds produced by the plant. Small native rodents call the white sage home.

Ethnobotany

Chumash and other Native American groups historically used white sage in ceremonies, as medicine and as food. Many uses continue today. Smudge sticks--made of packed, rolled, dried sage leaves tied with cotton thread--are used in purification ceremonies. Sweat lodges use sage infused steam to treat colds and respiratory ailments. The seeds from the plant are edible, and Native Americans ground the seeds into a mush, eating it as a staple food. Smudge sticks and incense are popular with the general population and are widely marketed.

Propagation/Sourcing

Incense sticks can be made from white sage.

Grow white sage from seeds collected from domestic sources. Germinate in pots or scatter seeds directly on the ground. Till soil to 8 inches, rake to smooth, and scatter over the soil. Native plant nurseries and local botanical gardens host annual native plant sales and give good advice. White sage is disappearing from the landscape. It is a victim of its own popularity. Enthusiasts collect branches and leaves for smudge sticks and incense production. Never remove any part of a native plant from its habitat. Only collect seeds, leaves or other parts of the plant from domestically raised plants.

References

• UC Berkeley Jepson Manual: Salvia
• University of California Santa Cruz: Native American Uses of California Plants:Ethnobotany

Resources

• USDA Plant Guide: White Sage