Perennial Sage Salvia x digenea
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Salvia x superba
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAL-vee-uh dy-JEE-nee-uh
- Description
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Hybrid sage is a cross between Salvia amplexicaulis and Salvia nemorosa and is the best choice for cold mountain areas when a perennial species of salvia is required. It grows 2 to 3 feet high and 1 to 1.5 feet wide. Many cultivars of hybrid sage are available. The name Salvia is derived from the Latin term salvare, which means "to salve" and refers to the plant's medicinal properties.
Hybrid sage prefers full sun in average, well-drained soil. It is not particular about soil texture or pH level. Cool evenings enhance the color hues of its flowers. Propagation is by division or stem cutting.
It blooms in spring and summer and attracts pollinators and hummingbirds. It is used in perennial borders as well as butterfly, cottage, pollinator, and drought-tolerant gardens.
Quick ID
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Terminal verticillasters of purple flowers
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Stems square with opposite leaves
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Cauline leaves sessile to clasping
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Corolla with upper lobes overtopping lower lobes
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
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- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Blue Queen
deep violet flowers, 24" tall, heat and drought tolerant - East Friesland
deep purple flowers on compact, 18" plant - Merleau
purplish-blue flowers - Rose Queen
rose-pink flowers - Snow Hill
pure white flowers
- Blue Queen
- Blue Queen, East Friesland, Merleau, Rose Queen, Snow Hill
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Blue Queen
deep violet flowers, 24" tall, heat and drought tolerant - East Friesland
deep purple flowers on compact, 18" plant - Merleau
purplish-blue flowers - Rose Queen
rose-pink flowers - Snow Hill
pure white flowers
- Blue Queen
- Blue Queen, East Friesland, Merleau, Rose Queen, Snow Hill
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Salvia
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Hybrid
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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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
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The inflorescence is made up of terminal verticillasters. They are elongated and slender, 10-20 cm. Fascicles have 6 flowers. Flowers are violet. They are calyx resinous, punctate, and pubescent. They are tinged reddish-purple; corolla bright violet to purple. Flowers are 9-12 mm, with upper lobes overtopping lower lobes.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are opposite, decussate, and simple. They are lanceolate to oblong, rugose, acute to bluntly acute. They are broad cuneate to subrotund, crenate, pubescent below. They have petioles short on basal leaves, cauline leaves are sessile to clasping.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Description:
- Stems are square.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Heat
- Humidity
- Rabbits
