About Salvia clevelandii ‘Allen Chickering’ (Allen Chickering Sage)
This evergreen shrub is called Salvia clevelandii ‘Allen Chickering’. Its delightful fragrance attracts local pollinators such as hummingbirds, bees and butterflies and can fill a garden with its sweet sage scent. A hybrid between a Salvia leucophylla and a Salvia clevelandii, this variety reaches an average mature landscape size of 4-5′ tall by 4-5′ wide and has a rounded growth habit. With whorl shaped purple flowers that emerge during the spring and summer seasons, 2 feet in height is added as a tier to its existing grey-green foliage branches. Native to California, this variety is drought tolerant once established and is winter hardy to temperatures as low as 15-20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Care And Planting Instructions
Plant Allen Chickering Sage in an area that receives full sun exposure for at least six hours per day. Plant using well draining soil and water regularly after planting to help it establish well to its new location. After its first few growing seasons, reduce irrigation to occasionally. This Salvia variety is drought tolerant once established. Prune in early spring or late fall to clean up its shape or size and to encourage new blooms.
Landscape Design Ideas
An extremely low maintenance plant, Salvia clevelandii ‘Allen Chickering’ is a great plant for sunny hillsides, cottage-like garden styles and water conscious landscape designs. Consider planting this variety alongside yellow flowering shrubs to highlight complementary colors or an ornamental grasses such as Leymus condensatus ‘Canyon Prince’ or Miscanthus sinensis ‘Zebrinus’.
