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Nettle-Leaved Sage Salvia urticifolia

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
SAL-vee-uh ur-TISS-i-fo-lee-ah
Description

Nettleleaf sage is an herbaceous perennial in the mint family (Lamiaceae) native to the southeastern United States, including parts of North Carolina. In its native environment, it is found along dry woodland edges, open woods and on outcroppings. The species epithet is a compound of the genus name for nettle (Urtica) and the Latin word for leaf (-folia).

Nettleleaf sage prefers dry soil with a high pH (neutral to alkaline but not acidic) and partial shade. Once established, nettleleaf sage is drought-tolerant.

Although difficult to find commercially, nettleleaf sage is easy to grow and bears small but attractive purple-to-blue flowers in April–June. The flowers attract pollinators. The leaves are fragrant when crushed and can be used in a potpourri. Native bees nest in the dead, hollow stems, so gardeners are encouraged to cut back dead stems to 12 to 24 inches and allow them to remain standing until they disintegrate on their own. Read more about best practices for stem-nesting bees in this NC Extension publication.

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.

More information on Salvia.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#purple flowers#fragrant leaves#blue flowers#spring flowers#NC native#summer flowers#native garden#alkaline soils tolerant#pollinator plant#nesting sites#border front#NC Native Pollinator Plant#bee friendly#container plant#pollinator garden#part shade#groups#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#purple flowers#fragrant leaves#blue flowers#spring flowers#NC native#summer flowers#native garden#alkaline soils tolerant#pollinator plant#nesting sites#border front#NC Native Pollinator Plant#bee friendly#container plant#pollinator garden#part shade#groups#woodland
  • 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. Dead stems are used by stem-nesting bees.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Easy to Grow
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 10 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Schizocarp
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The schizocarp has four lobes that separate to yield four single-seeded nutlets.
  • 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
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The sticky flowers are clustered in tiers on the erect inflorescence. The lower lip has 3 lobes which extend like a tongue and have prominent white marks. It blooms April, May and June.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    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.
  • 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.
  • 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
    Poor Soil