Carried by 49 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Fragrant pitcher sage (Lepechinia fragrans) is an evergreen flowering shrub in the Mint family. It grows in an upright multi-branched shape with whitish fragrant green leaves. The flowers have a long blooming period from spring through summer to fall. Their lavender color is a pretty contrast to the often dark-colored fuzzy calyx (cup-like structure that encloses the bud) from which they emerge. It attracts hummingbirds and insects and hosts two species of moth and butterfly.
Fragrant pitcher sage grows fast in full to part sun and is adaptable to different soils. It needs little watering. It may be pruned to shape, but use caution not to over-prune older woody growth.
Endemic to California, fragrant pitcher sage is found in open areas in chaparral, in dry ravines, on rocky slopes and ridgetops, between 200 and 3500 feet.
Shrub
3 - 5 ft Tall
3 - 5 ft Wide
Rounded, Spreading
Fast, Moderate
Evergreen
Pleasant
Purple, Lavender
Summer, Spring, Fall
Hedge
Full Sun, Partial Shade
Low
Max 1x / month once established
Moderate
Tolerates cold to 20° F
Fast, Medium, Slow
Tolerant of a variety of soils as long as adequate moisture is present.
Soil PH: 6.0 - 7.0
May be pruned to shape, but use caution not to over-prune older woody growth
7, 14, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18, 19*, 20*, 21, 22, 24*
Ravines and rocky slopes, often north-facing where chaparral is the dominant cover
Chaparral
Island Alumroot, Santa Cruz Island Gooseberry (Ribes thacherianum), Catalina Island Gooseberry, Island Ceanothus (Ceanothus megacarpus var. insularis), Summer Holly (Comarostaphylis diversifolia ssp. planifolia), Tree Poppy, Oak species
Butterflies and moths supported
0 confirmed and 2 likely
Anoncia Sphacelina
Anoncia sphacelina