Description
Lepechinia hastata | Fragrant Sage
Fragrant Pitcher Sage, also known as Baja Pitcher Sage, Mexican Pitcher Sage, Cape Pitcher Sage, Island Pitcher Sage, Pitcher Sage, Fragrant Pitcher Plant, Pitcher Plant, False Salvia, and Pakaha, is an evergreen to semi-evergreen sub-shrub that’s native to Baja Mexico where its found in open areas, in dry ravines, on rocky slopes and ridgetops. Of all the common names we could have chose for this plant, we chose Fragrant Sage because it was the best fit considering the overwhelming aroma of the foliage!
It’s a perennial that can grow up to 5 feet tall and slowly spread through underground rhizomes. Its flowers are panicles of magenta-purple and sage-like with a long bloom period from summer into fall. Deadhead after flowering for a fuller, more floriferous plant, or collect seeds and grow more. Makes a great late season garden perennial.
Fragrant Sage grows in an upright, multi-branched shape. Its leaves are extremely aromatic, with a strong, sweet and minty, herbal-sage aroma.
Grows well in coastal full sun, and performs best with some shade when inland. Well-draining soil. Extremely drought tolerant once established. Lepechinia hastata is said to survive down to zone 7. We’ve yet to put her outdoors overwinter, but she does great in our mildy heated greenhouse in zone 8.
Attracts hummingbirds and pollinators and hosts two species of moth and butterfly. Deer resistant.
Type: Perennial
Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade
Mature height: 4-5 ft
Mature width: 3-4 ft
Hardiness zones: 7-12
