Pitcher sages
Botanical name: Lepechinia
Pitcher sages
Botanical name: Lepechinia
Description
Pitcher sages are commonly grown in woodland and butterfly gardens, prized more for their aromatic leaves than the small cup-shaped flowers they produce, although these do attract bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators in the spring and summer. The plants produce small fruits protected by the longer flower petal, which gives them the appearance of being covered by small lanterns in the winter.
Species of Pitcher sages
Woodbalm
Woodbalm (Lepechinia calycina) is a flowering plant species related to mint. It is native to the west coast of North America (predominantly California), and can thrive in the area's dry conditions. The flowers make popular stops for various butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.
Island pitchersage
Island pitchersage (Lepechinia fragrans) is a flowering shrub related to mint. It grows native in the western United States. The entire plant sports fuzzy hairs, giving it a grayish appearance. Island pitchersage is sometimes used as an ornamental, though it tends to have a short lifespan. Bumblebees are its primary pollinators.
Lepechinia caulescens
Lepechinia caulescens are commonly grown in woodland and butterfly gardens, prized more for their aromatic leaves than the small cup-shaped flowers they produce, although these do attract bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators in the spring and summer. The plants produce small fruits protected by the longer flower petal, which gives them the appearance of being covered by small lanterns in the winter.
Scientific Classification
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