About Salvia sonomensis Greene
Salvia sonomensis Greene, commonly known as creeping sage, is a mat-forming subshrub. Its stems grow up to around 30 cm (12 inches) tall, and its 15 cm (5.9 inch) inflorescences rise above the foliage. This species is highly variable in leaf shape, leaf size, and flower color. Leaves may be long and narrow, or shorter and rounded, and leaf color ranges widely from yellow-green to gray-green. Flowers can be pale lavender, lavender-purple, or lavender-blue. This species occurs in three separate regions of California: the California Coastal Range from Siskiyou to Napa County, from Monterey County to San Diego County, and the Sierra Nevada foothills. It grows at elevations below 2,000 m (6,600 ft) on dry hillsides and in woodlands. Salvia sonomensis is easy to cultivate, except it does not grow well in heavy clay soils or locations with excessive irrigation. Multiple cultivated varieties exist, selected based on differing leaf traits and flower colors. Two particularly hardy cultivars, 'Cone Peak' and 'Serra Peak', were selected from high elevation populations. 'John Farmar-Bowers' is a white-flowered variety. Two hybrids, 'Dara's Choice' and 'Mrs. Beard', are thought to be crosses between Salvia sonomensis and Salvia mellifera. In his book Pharmako/poeia, Dale Pendell states that Salvia sonomensis contains a camphor-like substance that acts as a mild stimulant when smoked.
