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Salvia lyrata

Phonetic Spelling
SAL-vee-ah leer-RAY-tuh
Description

Lyreleaf sage is an herbaceous perennial in the mint family (Lamiaceae) native to the eastern and central United States. The plant forms a rosette. Each leaf is lobed like a lyre, hence the species epithet, which is Latin for “lyre-like.”

Plant in poor-to-average, medium-moist, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. It tolerates heat and humidity, as well as drought, once established. Lyreleaf sage is moderately resistant to browsing by deer (they tend to eat the erect flower stalks but not the basal leaves).  Propagate by collecting seeds before seed capsules fully dry out. It reseeds easily in loose, sandy soil. 

Lavender flowers occur in rings around the stem from mid-spring to early summer, attracting butterflies and early-emerging bees. Some populations have pale pink flowers, while others have pale blue flowers. As the season progresses, the plants shift to producing cleistogamous flowers, which are flowers that never open but produce fertile fruits. The leaves in some populations (especially those from Florida and the Gulf Coast) are marked with a reddish blotch in the center. Cultivars with all-red foliage are available. American goldfinches will visit them for the seeds.

Use this sage in a meadow, naturalized area, or woodland. Its dense form, short height, and tolerance for mowing make it an excellent lawn alternative. Plant it in a butterfly, drought-tolerant, native, or pollinator garden. Because it tolerates occasional flooding and wet soil, it makes a good addition to a rain garden. Fire Risk: This plant has a medium flammability rating. 

Insect, 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. 

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#hummingbird friendly#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#purple flowers#fragrant leaves#nectar plant#lawn alternative#spring flowers#fire medium flammability#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#long bloom time#hairy leaves#spring interest#native groundcover#pollinator plant#native wildflower#food source summer#hairy stems#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#nectar plant late spring#groundcovers that can be mowed#foot traffic tolerant#butterfly friendly#nectar plant midspring#Piedmont Mountains FACU#Coastal FACU#partial shade tolerant#HS302#flood tolerant#Audubon#lawn planting#wildflower#wildlife friendly#HS304
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#purple flowers#fragrant leaves#nectar plant#lawn alternative#spring flowers#fire medium flammability#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#long bloom time#hairy leaves#spring interest#native groundcover#pollinator plant#native wildflower#food source summer#hairy stems#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#nectar plant late spring#groundcovers that can be mowed#foot traffic tolerant#butterfly friendly#nectar plant midspring#Piedmont Mountains FACU#Coastal FACU#partial shade tolerant#HS302#flood tolerant#Audubon#lawn planting#wildflower#wildlife friendly#HS304
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Salvia
    Species:
    lyrata
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern and central United States
    Fire Risk Rating:
    medium flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers are attractive to butterflies and other pollinators. American goldfinches consume the seeds.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Food Source
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Prostrate
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    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
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasional Flooding
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Schizocarp
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Schizocarp has 4 lobes that separate into 4 single-seeded nutlets.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Trumpet
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    One-inch bright to pale blue, white or violet flowers in whorls along erect stems of the plant from April to May. Initial flowers are showy; later flowers are cleistogamous (they never open but self-pollinate and form fertile fruits).
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Basal leaves are 3 to 8 in. long and stalked; may have wavy, toothed margins or deep pinnatifid lobes. Leaves on the erect flower stalks are smaller than the basal leaves.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Simple or sparingly branched stems; hairy
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Foot Traffic
    Heat
    Wet Soil