Pitcher Sage Salvia azurea
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAL-vee-uh a-ZOOR-ee-uh
- Description
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Blue sage is a delicate herbaceous, clumping perennial in the Lamiaceae (mint) family native to South and Central United States.The genus name Salvia is derived from the Latin term salveo, which means ‘be well’ and refers to the plant's purported medicinal properties. Azurea refers to the sky-blue color of the showy two-lipped tubular flowers.
Plant blue sage in full sun to partial shade in sandy or shallow-rocky soil. It prefers moist soil as long as there is good drainage but tolerates occasional drought. Flowers appear from mid-summer to fall for long lasting interest in the garden. Cut the stems back by 1/2 in the late spring to promote fuller more compact growth as stems can flop over with the weight of the flower spikes and this occurs especially in organically rich soils. This plant is resistant to browsing by deer. Propagate it by division or seed.
Blue sage grows from 3 to 5 feet high and has showy blue flowers that attract bees and butterflies, so consider it for pollinator gardens. This native works well in the middle of perennial borders, prairie gardens, and open meadows. It is also at home tucked into a rock or cottage garden.
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:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Nekan'
larger blue flowers than species; more robust
- 'Nekan'
- 'Nekan'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Nekan'
larger blue flowers than species; more robust
- 'Nekan'
- 'Nekan'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Salvia
- Species:
- azurea
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South and Central U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- North Carolina south to Florida; west to Texas; north to Nebraska and Minnesota.
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts butterflies and bees.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- drought, shallow rocky soil, deer, dry soil
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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:
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Schizocarp
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Granular and mottled, 2-3mm ovoid nutlet containing 1 seed
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Obovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Simple, linear obovate or lanceolate gray green leaves 3"-4" long
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Insect Pests
