General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Shrub
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 9a -6.7 °C (20 °F) to -3.9 °C (25 °F)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 11
Plant Height: 5 feet
Plant Spread: 4 feet
Leaves: Evergreen
Fragrant
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Russet
Yellow
Bloom Size: 1"-2"
Flower Time: Late winter or early spring
Spring
Late spring or early summer
Summer
Suitable Locations: Xeriscapic
Uses: Medicinal Herb
Wildlife Attractant: Butterflies
Resistances: Deer Resistant
Propagation: Seeds: Provide light
Days to germinate: 10-14 days to germinate
Depth to plant seed: Surface sow
Suitable for wintersowing
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Tip

Image
Common names
  • Brown Salvia
  • Golden Sage
  • Beach Salvia
  • Bruin of Sandsalie
  • Salvia
Botanical names
  • Accepted: Salvia aurea
  • Synonym: Salvia africana-lutea

Brown Salvia (Salvia aurea) was a featured
Plant of the Day for April 11, 2016.
Photo Gallery
Location: Coastal San Diego County 
Date: 2019-03-05
San Diego Zoo
Location: My Property Sunset Zone 23 Fallbrook California
Date: 2013-03-17
Location: Hamilton Square Garden, Historic City Cemetery, Sacramento CA.
Date: 2018-02-10
In the middle of winter this Salvia is just ramping up for a real
Location: Hamilton Square Garden, Historic City Cemetery, Sacramento CA.
Date: 2018-01-10
First blooms of the year. I hadn't yet cut this back by two third
Location: Hamilton Square Perennial Garden, Historic City Cemetery, Sacramento CA.
Date: 2015-03-15
Brown Salvia (Salvia africana-lutea) in Zone 9b. This photo shows
Location: At a nursery
Date: Jul 27, 2008 4:47 PM
Location: Coastal San Diego County 
Date: 2019-03-05
San Diego Zoo
Location: Coastal San Diego County 
Date: 2019-03-05
San Diego Zoo
Location: Hamilton Square  Garden, Historic City Cemetery, Sacramento CA.
Date: 2016-02-28
Zone 9b.
Location: Hamilton Square Garden, Historic City Cemetery, Sacramento CA.
Date: 2018-02-19
A very nice bloom after not being cut back this year. Anxious to
Location: National Botanical Garden, DC, Virginia :) | May, 2022
Date: 2022-05-28
Photo by wcgypsy

Courtesy Robin's Salvias
  • Uploaded by vic
Location: Hamilton Square Garden, Historic City Cemetery, Sacramento CA.
Date: 2016-04-09
The flowers are gone but the brown bracts persist for some time.
Photo by robertduval14
Location: Botanical Garden Barcelona (Spain)
Date: 2017-06-20
Location: Botanical Garden Barcelona (Spain)

Courtesy Crownsville Nursery
  • Uploaded by vic

Courtesy Crownsville Nursery
  • Uploaded by vic
Location: My Property Sunset Zone 23 Fallbrook California
Date: 2013-02-02
Location: My Property Sunset Zone 23 Fallbrook California
Date: 2013-02-02
Photo by wcgypsy
Comments:
  • Posted by Marilyn (Kentucky - Zone 6a) on May 25, 2013 2:06 PM concerning plant:
    "Salvia africana-lutea (Beach salvia, Dune salvia, Golden salvia, Bruin- of sandsalie, Geelblomsalie) is a shrubby evergreen perennial native to coastal sand dunes and hills on the coast of the Cape Province in South Africa. It has numerous woody stems growing to more than 1 m in height and width, with sparse grey-green leaves. The flowers start out as a bright yellow, turning into a rusty color, with the dark rusty-colored calyx persisting long after fruiting begins.

    S. africana-lutea was used by early European settlers to treat colds, tuberculosis, and chronic bronchitis. Traditional indigenous healers use it for respiratory ailments, influenza, gynaecological complaints, fever, headaches and digestive disorders."

    Taken from wikipedia's page at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S...
  • Posted by Marilyn (Kentucky - Zone 6a) on Apr 1, 2013 12:15 AM concerning plant:
    Salvia aurea was previously known as Salvia africana-lutea.
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