Mojave Sage / Salvia pachyphylla

Mojave Sage / Salvia pachyphylla
From Payne's in summer 2019 and in spring 2020

I give up!!! The single remaining Mojave sage that survived after all may failures and looked beautiful in 2020 did not make it through the winter and was a crispy shell in spring 2021. It's gone now, and all my many attempts at growing this lovely plant are over.

Blooming at Santa Fe Botanical garden 7/26/19

I got one at Payne's nursery in summer 2019 to replace the Russian sage I took out at the front corner of the driveway.  That original Mojave sage died when we went away for 5 days in July and it wasn't watered.

As a new plant Mojave sage wants a lot of water and soft easy draining soil. As soon as it dries out a bit the soft silver leaves wilt badly.

I replaced it with three more and kept planting more as those failed too -- why admit failure? I planted them in a tight semicircle at the corner. This time I added lots of amendment soil. Only one survived.

I added two more from Payne's in spring 2020 and these two little ones failed.

I do water them quite a bit, at least to get them started. It's been an odyssey.

May 28, 2020 but only the one tall skinny plant survived into summer 2020

But the one that still lives looks great and flowers all summer long. Even the fading flower spikes look good.

August 1, 2020 - the one remaining plant blooms all summer

I've seen a planting of Mojave sage in the neighborhood and it becomes a low growing mound, so this upright skinny one will eventually spread out. I hope it fills the corner.

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Here's what the Santa Fe Botanical Garden says -- note that it says shade or partial shade, unlike other info that says full sun (and the Botanical Garden's plants are in full sun):

Mojave sage is native to desert mountains and grows on dry slopes, in piñon-juniper or pine woodlands, often in decomposed granite, at elevations from 5,000-10,000 ft. It should be planted in nutrient-poor, well-drained soil. It grows best in dry shade or partial shade of trees. It needs only minimal water after it is established. Soil that is too rich or too much water promotes lush growth, but short-lived plants. Cut back the plant when it is dormant.

More info: 

Mojave sage is 24″ tall with a width of at least the same. It takes a couple of growing seasons for it to gain this stature. It has intensely aromatic silvery-green foliage. Blooms all summer and into fall. Good drainage is essential especially in winter

The semi-evergreen foliage adds winter interest. Once this salvia is established, a good fall pruning after flowering helps maintain its shape and keeps it from becoming too woody.

Soil Moisture: it needs moderate watering to xeric, once established -- it's the "getting established" phase that is a fine balance between too wet and too dry, and my failures have probably been due to watering issues.
Hardiness: USDA zones 5-10
Culture: Loam or sandy soil -- the amended soil and the compacted dirt at the corner of the driveway is not that free-draining!