Nettle-Leaved Sage Salvia urticifolia
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAL-vee-uh ur-TISS-i-fo-lee-ah
- Description
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Nettleleaf sage is an herbaceous perennial in the mint (Lamiaceae) family native to the southeastern United States. In its native environment, it is found along dry woodland edges, open woods, and on outcroppings. It is difficult to find commercially. Urticifolia is Latin for “nettle-leaved.” Although not common in North Carolina, it can be cultivated in the Piedmont and a few Mountain areas.
Nettleleaf sage prefers basic, dry soil with a high pH (not acidic), and partial shade. It grows 1-1.5 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide. Once established, nettleleaf sage is drought tolerant.
Nettleleaf sage adds a unique purple-to-blue color of flowers in April- June that attracts pollinators. The leaves are fragrant when crushed and can be used in a potpourri.
Use this plant in borders or groups in woodland gardens, children's gardens or native and pollinator gardens. It can also be grown in containers with good drainage.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Salvia
- Species:
- urticifolia
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- SE USA
- Distribution:
- AL , DC , FL , GA , KY , MD , MS , NC , PA , SC , TN , VA
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts pollinators
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 10 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Schizocarp
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The Schizocarp contains 4 nutlets.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The sticky flowers are clustered in tiers on the top 4-5 inches of the stem. The lower lip has 2-3 lobes which extend like a tongue and have prominent white marks. It blooms April, May and June.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are wedge-shaped at the base with entire margins. It tapers to wings and is coarsely toothed at the tip. It is 3 inches long and 2 inches wide.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The slippery hairy square stems rise from a thick rhizome and may be woody at the base.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
