There definitely seems to be more than one Salvia munzii on the market. Some places claim it is a subshrub, but the Theodore Payne Found...Read Moreation claims their stock grows to a size comparable to other large shrub sages found in California. The one I bought from them certainly took its time, but is now filling in with maybe 3 feet across, 2 feet tall, with many, many flowers.
It certainly doesn't seem to respond to pruning like its close cousin Salvia mellifera. I think that's why it took over 4 years to flourish; I treated it like Black Sage rather than White Sage. Once I started ignoring it completely, it cheered right up and started growing out.
It still looks airy and generally has smaller leaves, but while maybe not the best ground cover, it makes a good specimen plant to admire. Last year it bloomed at least half the year. It's blooming much larger this year, but I'll get to see if I get the same kind of prolonged display. Certainly, the bees are loving it. I see more bees on it than Black Sage.
There definitely seems to be more than one Salvia munzii on the market. Some places claim it is a subshrub, but the Theodore Payne Found...Read More