Forsythia Sage Salvia madrensis
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAL-vee-uh ma-DREN-sis
- Description
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Forsythia sage is a perennial subshrub in the mint family (Lamiaceae) native to western Mexico. Its species epithet is derived from its native locale, the Sierra Madre Occidental of Mexico.
Forsythia sage grows well in full sun; however, some afternoon shade in extreme heat would be appreciated. If grown in an area receiving shade for a majority of the day, it will tend to have fewer blooms and its form may become lankier. Forsythia sage takes average soil with average moisture.
Forsythia sage has a long season of bloom: from autumn through spring. The inflorescences have indeterminate growth can can produce flowers for months. Forsythia sage spreads from underground rhizomes, and prostrate stems may root at the nodes. It may be necessary to remove shoots to control its spread.
Forsythia sage is a tropical plant that can be grown outside in subtropical gardens, where its flowers will attract hummingbirds. In North Carolina, it is not reliably hardy. It must be grown in large containers and brought into shelter during the winter months.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues or concerns.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Red Neck Girl'
Maroon markings on the stems.
- 'Red Neck Girl'
- 'Red Neck Girl'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Red Neck Girl'
Maroon markings on the stems.
- 'Red Neck Girl'
- 'Red Neck Girl'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Salvia
- Species:
- madrensis
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Northwestern Mexico
- Wildlife Value:
- Hummingbirds, bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Fruit Type:
- Schizocarp
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Schizocarp has 4 lobes. They separate to form single-seeded nutlets.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Colored Sepals
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The whorls of flowers lay along 12 to 18-inch spikes. The yellow flowers, which have a sticky feel, are unusual for a salvia. The calyces are the same color as the flower.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Velvety
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Gray-green heart shaped leaves.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Description:
- Thick, rigid stems with four prominent flanges or ridges.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Border
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heat
