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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 (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:
Tags:
#showy flowers#purple flowers#fragrant leaves#blue flowers#spring flowers#NC native#summer flowers#native garden#alkaline soils tolerant#pollinator plant#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#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
    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
  • 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:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Schizocarp
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The Schizocarp contains 4 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
    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.
  • 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.
  • 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