Friendship Sage Salvia 'Amistad'
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAL-vee-uh ah-mee-STAHD
- Description
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'Amistad' or friendship sage is a cultivar woody, deciduous perennial or annual in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. It can be grown as a perennial in zones 8 and higher and as annual in colder climates. The genus name Salvia is derived from the Latin term salveo, which means ‘be well’ and refers to the plant's medicinal properties.
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 support many pollinators. Use it in the middle of the flower border, along a walkway, in a meadow, or in containers. It is also perfect in cottage, butterfly, 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 offered 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.
- 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 Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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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:
- Bracts
- fused petals
- Flower Description:
- Royal purple to violet tubluar flowers with lips have dark bracts at the base
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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
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Glossy dark green triangle shaped 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:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
