Black Sage: A True Habitat Hero!

When planning out your California native garden, be sure to add black sage (Salvia mellifera) to your list. 

This sun-loving plant can grow up to 6 feet high and 10 feet wide, so make sure you have a large enough spot that gets a ton of sun. It is easy to grow and requires no water once established. What makes black sage so attractive is its very aromatic leaves and when it blooms, it produces beautiful pale blue, lavender, and white tubular flowers.

This plant is a magnet for pollinators and a habitat oasis for birds. 

Black sage attracts several species of moths and butterflies, which means it can also be crawling with caterpillars – the staple diet of many songbirds, especially when feeding their young. Many other species of insects have also evolved to depend on this plant. The blooming flowers attract all kinds of bees, and hummingbirds love them, too. The seeds are devoured by ground dwelling birds such as California towhees, mourning doves, and many sparrow species. The plant itself is important because it provides a great place for birds to hide in to escape predators and even to build a nest in.

If you want to learn more about the birds this habitat hero attracts and discover the many other benefits native plants offer wildlife and humans, check out the Audubon Plants for Birds Website. 

Not sure if black sage is native to your area? Look here to see a map of  this plant’s native range. 

If you are in Los Angeles, please stop by Los Nogales Nursery and take a look around. The friendly staff can help you navigate the nursery to find the perfect fit for your setting. And keep an eye out for these cards below that are displayed throughout the nursery. They give you an idea of what birds can be attracted by the plant and also provide walking directions to see the plant growing in one of the Audubon Center at Debs Park’s many habitat restoration sites. 

Let's keep planting plants for birds!