Very nice. I would not have thought S. leucantha would be hardy in Z7b. I had one die this mild but damp winter. I planted it late. I have not had success with many of the Californian sages. because our rain pattern is so different. That is all I can think. I am still trying. I never give up.

I am what the locals call the Banana belt, on the bajada of a 7500 ft mt. My elevation is 4500 ft. So the slope creates an air movement pattern that at times keeps it a little warmer, and some frosts don't settle down. Saying that in 2012 both the S.apiana, and S. clevelandii survived 36 hours of 0-15F degree temps, both were burned to the ground.

I live on a hill in Central Texas . I am taller than most areas around and I know what you are talking about. It is all variable. At the beginning of winters I am warmer than my down hill neighbors but If it is cloudy and windy,, all bets are off. That caps off the heat loss of the valleys and blows away the heat on the hill. The suction of the wind keeps the cold air from sinking. Those are all my theories. I am obsessed about thinking about why temps go one way one time and another way another time. Their are many personal weather stations in the immediate neighborhood with elevations listed. My car has a thermometer in my car and that entertains me as I drive around at night.

I bet the thermal mass of those rocks also help out a lot in your sunny arid climate. Not to mention that you do not have to worry normally about cold damp roots and lack of drainage.

22 inches of rain! What riches!