Salvia x sylvestris
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAL-vee-uh sil-VESS-triss
- Description
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Wood sage is an herbaceous perennial in the mint family (Lamiaceae) native to Europe. It may grow as large as 2 feet high and 1.5 feet wide. Salvia, the genus name, comes from the Latin word salvare, meaning “to save” and references its medicinal qualities. Wood sage a natural hybrid between S. nemorosa and S. pratensis. It is sometimes referred to as Salvia sylvestris.
Plant wood sage in full sun in dry to medium moisture soils with good drainage and high organic content. It is tolerant of gravely or sandy soils and drought once established. This plant has a rapid growth rate and will quickly fill in space if conditions are ideal. Prune it back to its basal foliage after flowering, or if it flops over, or becomes unsightly. Propagate this plant through softwood cuttings or division.
Use wood sage as an accent or mass planting in a border. It is also at home in a cottage, sensory, or butterfly garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Whitefly, aphids, mealy bug, and spider mites are insect problems. Rust, powdery mildew, stem rot, and fungal leaf spot are disease problems.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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 bees, hummingbirds and butterflies.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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
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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
- 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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Description:
- Stems are square and can reach 30" in height
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Patio
- Pond
- Pool/Hardscape
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
