Amistad Sage Salvia 'Amistad'
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAL-vee-ah ah-mee-STAHD
- Description
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'Amistad' or friendship sage is a semi-woody or herbaceous perennial or annual in the mint family (Lamiaceae). It can be grown as a perennial in zones 8 and higher, or as an annual in colder climates. ‘Amistad’ is Spanish for “friendship.”
Grow this plant in average, medium-moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. It is drought-tolerant once established. It forms a bushy, 4- to 5-foot-tall and wide plant that has spikes of purple flowers held above the foliage nearly all season long. This sage has a very long bloom season, and its showy, violet-purple flowers are beloved by pollinators.
Carpenter bees bite through the base of the perianth tube to steal the nectar, and smaller bees will use the hole to do the same. ‘Amistad’ was introduced to cultivation by Argentine Salvia specialist, Dr. Rolando Uria of the University of Buenos Aires.
‘Amistad’ is perfect for the middle of the flower border, along a walkway, in a meadow, or in containers. It is a great choice for cottage and pollinator gardens.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Colorful Borders
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Salvia
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South America
- Wildlife Value:
- Pollinators are attracted to the nectar of the long-lasting flowers.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Schizocarp
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Colored Sepals
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Royal purple to violet, tubular, two-lipped flowers are borne in dark, almost black calyces.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Deltoid
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Glossy, dark green, narrowly ovate leaves
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Pool/Hardscape
- Recreational Play Area
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
