Thistle Sage

Thistle Sage is an aptly named annual herbaceous plant that grows up to two feet tall and one foot wide. Pale purple blooms with frilled edges, bright orange pollen, and hairy, spiky, silvery foliage that is reminiscent of a thistle (though not closely related to true thistles).

Once established, Thistle sage needs very little water, and prefers well-draining soils like those of interior scrublands and valley grasslands of California. A favorite of the California Digger bee, several bumblebees, Sphinx moths, and hummingbirds. Thistle sage is a great option for containers, or as a unique addition to a rock garden. Pairs well with other annual wildflowers.

Lifeform: Annual

Sun: Full Sun

Water: Dry, Light

Soil: Gravel, Rocky, Sand

Other: Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Moths, Drought Tolerant

Ecological Value	Over 100 native bee species visit this plant, as well as moths, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Ethnobotanical Uses	Seeds used for food – as part of mush or to flavor wheat by Cahuilla and Luiseno peoples.
Distribution	Central and southern CA, northwestern Baja, Mexico.
Elevation	0-1400 m
Habitat	Sandy or gravelly places of inland plains, valleys and hills in the southern half of the state
Communities	Coastal Sage Scrub, Creosote Bush Scrub, Valley Grassland