Arrowleaf Sage Salvia sagittata
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAL-vee-uh saj-ih-TAY-tuh
- Description
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Arrow leaf flowering sage is a blue-flowered, herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae (mint) family and native to the Andes Mountains in South America. It is one of the larger sages, growing 3 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. Salvia, the genus name, comes from the Latin word salveo, meaning ‘be well’. The specific epithet sagittata refers to the large, arrow-shaped leaves. It is resistant to browsing by deer and is attractive to pollinators. Being native to the Andes Mountains, it prefers cooler summers and may have problems with heat and humidity.
Plant in well-drained, highly organic soils where this sage will get at least half a day of full sun, and you will enjoy the flowers from early summer until frost. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, and mulch around the roots. It is winter hardy to 20 degrees F with protection. In colder areas stem cuttings can be taken inside and rooted and will be ready to plant in spring.
Its tall stature makes it an excellent choice for the back of a border or bed in a butterfly or pollinator garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Whitefly, aphids, mealy bug, and spider mites are insect problems. Rust, powdery mildew, stem rot, and fungal leaf spot are disease 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
- Species:
- sagittata
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used in herbal medicine
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Columbia, Peru
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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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:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Schizocarp
- Fruit Description:
- Schizocarp has 4 chambers with 1 nutlet each
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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
- Flower Description:
- Sticky blue inflorescence with 1" lipped flowers that reach 2' above the leaves on dark stems.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Deltoid
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Large, thick arrowhead-shaped leaves are deeply textured, lime-green and woolly on the undersides.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Green to reddish wiry stems with hairs
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
