No treatment is necessary, however you can try the following methods which might improve germination: stratify for 3 months then sow, OR soak in 400ppm gibberellic acid (GA3)for 1 hour, dry then sow.

Thank you, gonenative.

Dara Emery (Seed Propag. of Calif. Natives book) says "Sow outdoors in early fall. Germination may be poor if diurnal fluctuation insufficient" and also recommends the above.

Speaking of salvia spathacea,I planted hummingbird sage plants in February and they haven't been doing very well in my yard. They get intense sun for about 2/3 of the day, and in shade for 1/3 of the day. I can never figure out if I'm giving them too much or too little water. Anybody have any suggestions? Are your hummingbird sages in more shade than mine? Thanks!

If Salvia spathacea gets too little water, it will go into a semi-dormant state. If it gets too much, and is in very rich soil, it will grow like a weed, have few blossoms, and I've seen it get root-rot.

It does have a habit of performing poorly the first year, then doing very well the second season.

Thank you Toyon for your response about the hummingbird sages. I've probably been giving them too little water. If I buy more, I will plant them in more shade since I've read that they are good for planting under oak trees. (I don't have oaks but shade is shade.) Thanks.

I made the mistake of planting three hummingbird sages in the full sun next to a fence. They didn't do well at all and were completely dead by the end of the year. If I ever planted them again, I would definitely do it in a more shaded spot.

I have had the same experience. Plants planted in full sun withered but those in the shade of a fig tree survived. My plants appreciate monthly watering during summer.