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Salvia x sylvestris

Phonetic Spelling
SAL-vee-uh sil-VESS-triss
Description

Wood sage is an herbaceous perennial in the mint family. Plant in the full sun in dry to medium moisture soils with good drainage and high organic content.  Plants will quickly fill in space if conditions are ideal.  Prune plants back to their basal foliage after flowering or if they flop over or become unsightly.   It is tolerant of gravely or sandy soils, drought once established, and deer browsing.   Plant as an accent or mass plant in a border.  It is right at home in a cottage, sensory, or butterfly garden.

Propagate this plant through softwood cuttings or division.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.  White fly and scale occasionally occur.  Leaf spot, powdery mildew, and rust may affect stressed plants.

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.

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Tags:
#hummingbirds#showy flowers#drought tolerant#wildlife plant#fragrant leaves#nectar plant#low maintenance#cottage garden#accent plant#flower arrangements#fast growing#violet flowers#deer resistant#sensory#cutting garden#sandy soils tolerant#rocky soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbirds#showy flowers#drought tolerant#wildlife plant#fragrant leaves#nectar plant#low maintenance#cottage garden#accent plant#flower arrangements#fast growing#violet flowers#deer resistant#sensory#cutting garden#sandy soils tolerant#rocky soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Salvia
    Species:
    sylvestris
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Lipped
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Deep violet-blue to purple tubular two-lipped 1/2" long flowers appear in clusters of 2-6 on terminal racemes in late spring and will rebloom through summer if moisture is available. Deadhead to encourage rebloom. Cut flowers last a long time.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Description:
    Oblong to lanceolate serrate to entire margins medium green fragrant leaves. Wrinkled appearance with hairs beneath. Basal leaves have petioles while stem leaves are sessile.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
    Stem Description:
    Stems are square and can reach 30" in height
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Garden for the Blind
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil