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Attracting Hummingbird Tips

Dealing with Deer?

Development of Jame Sage (Salvia x jamensis) hybrids is rapidly expanding to contain a broad range of flower colors from soft pastels to brighter, more intense colors that are closer to the primary and secondary ranges. An example is our new series of Jame Sages called Elk Rainbow Sages, which range from pale pastels to brights and bicolors depending on what Salvias crossed to create these hybrids.

However, one unerring distinction between Jame Sages and other hybrid Salvias is that, whatever sages are in the S. x jamensis mix, both Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii) and Mountain Sage (Salvia microphylla) parentage is always involved. These species are native to the American Southwest and Mexico. The first ones collected were found as a genetic swarm near the tiny Mexican village of Jame (no s), located in Central Mexico where the eastern and western Sierra Madre mountains meet.

Colors and Other Characteristics

Flowers by the Sea is developing numerous varieties of Jame Sage, in solids and bicolors, for ongoing introduction as part of the Elk Rainbow Series. These include a wide range of soft and bright blues, reds and yellows as well as secondary colors, such as oranges and purples.

The unusual flower colors -- including many pastels and bicolors -- of these sages are a major key to their identification. Also, similar to Autumn and Mountain Sage, the flowers of Jame Sage have a wide, skirt-like lower lip.

However, other characteristics of appearance also require consideration. Although the foliage of Autumn and Mountain Sage vary somewhat in size and appearance, they are good clues when determining the parentage of many Jame Sages. However, some of these hybrids have foliage of different sizes, textures and colors (gray to deep green) than Autumn and Mountain Sage. The lineage of Jame Sage may include species such as Coahuila Sage ( S. coehuilensis), Mexican Sage (S. darcyi) and Canyon Sage (S. lycioides). It may also include crosses with hybrids, of which there are so many combinations that we can't detail them here.

But the broad height range of Jame Sage -- from 12 to 48 inches -- differs from both these species. Some shorter varieties of Elk Rainbow Sages show promise as groundcovers due to their matting growth.

Cultural Traits and Appeal to Wildlife

A sage's habit of growth -- such as its cultivation needs and bloom season -- also help to identify it as Jame Sage versus another kind of Salvia hybrid. For example, Jame Sage hybrids are heat and drought tolerant as are Autumn and Mountain Sage. These hybrids love full sun similar to Autumn Sage. But like Mountain Sage, they tolerate more shade and moisture than Autumn Sage. As with the two central parent species, Jame Sage blooms from spring into fall and may slow down in the deep heat of summer.

Jame Sage hybrids also match Autumn and Mountain Sage in drawing honeybees, hummingbirds and occasionally butterflies.

Plant Adaptability and Guarantee of Quality

We developed all of the Elk Rainbow Series at our farm on the Northern California coast near the town of Elk where Jame Sage grows beautifully. This ability to thrive in a relatively cool, often moist coastal climate versus the semi-arid mountain homelands of these hybrids says a lot about the adaptability of Jame Sages.

Each Jame Sage hybrid that we select for development has Elk in its name. That way you know it is an FBTS cultivar and that it is a reliable repeat performer.

Salvia x 'Elk Blue Moon III'

(Elk Blue Moon III Jame Sage) Dark calyxes cup dusky blue flowers that age to lavender and rise up from the veined, mid-green foliage of Salvia x ‘Elk Blue Moon III’.

Common name This is the non-scientific name used for a plant. A plant may have several common names, depending on the gardener's location. To further confuse the matter, a common name may be shared by several completely different plants. At Flowers by the Sea, we rely on the scientific name to identify our plants and avoid confusion.	Elk Blue Moon III Jame Sage
USDA Zones The U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones indicate the temperature zones where a plant is likely to thrive. It is determined by the average annual winter minimum temperature. Actual winter temperatures may be higher or lower than the average.	7 - 9
Size (h/w/fh) The anticipated mature size of the plant: Height, Width & Flower Height.	18"/18"/18"
Exposure This is the average amount of sunlight that a plant needs to thrive. Generally, full sun exposure is 6 or more hours of direct sun daily while partial shade is less than 4 hours of sun or dappled shade all day. Plants may tolerate more sunlight in cooler climates and need afternoon shade in extremely hot climates.	Full sun to partial shade
Soil type This is the kind of soil that a plant needs to thrive. Most plants require a well-drained soil that allows the water to soak into the soil without becoming soggy. Sandy and clay soils can be improved by digging in compost to improve drainage.	Well drained
Water needs Plants have specific water requirements. Water loving means the plant needs regular watering to keep the soil moist. Average generally indicates applying 1 inch of water per week, or watering when the soil is dry to a depth of 3 to 4 inches. One inch of water is equal to 5 gallons per square yard of soil surface.	Average
Container plant? "Yes" indicates that this plant can be successfully grown as a container plant.	Yes
Hummingbird plant? Hummingbirds have been observed regularly feeding from this plant's flowers.	Yes
Mature height The mature height of this plant in average conditions.	1 to 2 feet
Mature spread The mature width of this plant in average conditions.	1 to 2 feet

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Best of Class

We believe this to be the best clear blue Jame Sage.

(Elk Blue Moon III Jame Sage) Dark calyxes cup dusky blue flowers that age to lavender and rise up from the veined, mid-green foliage of Salvia x ‘Elk Blue Moon III’. This iteration of Elk Blue Moon has shinier foliage, prettier flower color, better branch structure, and more abundant blossoms than either of its two predecessors. It also exhibits stronger growth.

We know a blue moon — a rare event — when we see one in our plant development program, and we love to see it keep improving. Elk Blue Moon III is an FBTS product. It is part of our series of Salvia x Jamensis hybrids (Jame Sages) called Elk Rainbow Sages.™

Elk Blue Moon III is a petite, long blooming perennial in areas with moderate winter temperatures and a lovely annual where winters are chilly. Although heat tolerant and a sun lover, it thrives with a bit of partial shade during severe heat. It’s also drought-tolerant yet appreciates average watering based on local conditions. Don't forget to give this sage well-drained soil.

Plant Elk Blue Moon III in a mixed patio container or along a sunny walkway amid short red Salvias for a bit of drama. It tends to sprawl and form an attractive groundcover. This is an ideal plant for a native garden. Its size and pastel color make it a good choice for an outdoor fairy garden. Wherever you plant it, you can expect honeybee and hummingbird visitors.

Native to Mexico and the American Southwest, Jame Sages occur in areas where the closely related species of Salvia greggii (Autumn Sage) and Salvia microphylla (Mountain Sage) meet, such as near the Village of Jame in Mexico's Sierra Madre mountains or in the test gardens of our Northern California farm. This parentage may include other kinds of sages as well, so these hybrids come in a broad range of sizes. The foliage of Jame Sages can favor any of their parent plants. Elk Blue Moon III has the glossy, veined leaves of a Mountain Sage.

Elk Rainbow Sage
A Rainbow of Quality

At Flowers by the Sea, we regularly develop new cultivars such as our hybrid series of Elk Rainbow Sages™, which are varieties of Jame Sage Hybrids (Salvia x jamensis) in a broad array of solids and bicolors ranging from pastels to brights. Attractive to hummingbirds and honeybees, they are lovely yet tough crosses that include Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii) and Mountain Sage (Salvia microphylla). The word Elk in the scientific and common names of the Elk Rainbow choices indicates that you are getting a sturdy, colorful, reliable repeat performer.