Salvia lyrata
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAL-vee-ah leer-RAY-tuh
- Description
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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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- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Prostrate
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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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
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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.
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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).
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Simple or sparingly branched stems; hairy
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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