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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

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

  • Terminal verticillasters of purple flowers

  • Stems square with opposite leaves

  • Cauline leaves sessile to clasping

  • 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. 

More information on Salvia.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 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, East Friesland, Merleau, Rose Queen, Snow Hill
Tags:
#purple#hummingbird friendly#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#purple flowers#pink flowers#rabbit resistant#well-drained soil#summer flowers#deer resistant#frost tolerant#fantz#humidity tolerant#sandy soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 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, East Friesland, Merleau, Rose Queen, Snow Hill
Tags:
#purple#hummingbird friendly#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#purple flowers#pink flowers#rabbit resistant#well-drained soil#summer flowers#deer resistant#frost tolerant#fantz#humidity tolerant#sandy soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#perennial
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Schizocarp
    Fruit Description:
    Schizocarp has 4 chambers with 1 nutlet each
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
    Stem Description:
    Stems are square.
  • 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