Sage - Plant Encyclopedia Results

Eranthemum pulchellum, commonly known as Blue Eranthemum or Blue Sage, is an evergreen shrub native to the Indian subcontinent. It typically grows 3-6 feet tall, forming a dense, upright plant with glossy dark green leaves that provide an attractive backdrop for its vivid floral display. Although handsome throughout the year, it is most spectacular during the flowering season.

The plant produces dense terminal spikes of large, funnel-shaped flowers in shades of rich violet-blue to lavender-blue, often with a white throat. Flowering usually occurs during the cooler months, when relatively few tropical shrubs are in bloom, making it especially valuable for winter color. Unlike many members of the Acanthaceae family that flower intermittently throughout the year, Eranthemum pulchellum often produces a particularly abundant seasonal display. It grows best in full sun to partial shade and fertile, well-drained soil with regular moisture. Light pruning after flowering helps maintain a compact shape and encourages vigorous new growth. Suitable for USDA Zones 10-11, it is widely grown as a specimen shrub, flowering hedge, or container plant in warm climates and can also be cultivated as a conservatory or greenhouse plant in cooler regions.Learn more about Eranthemum pulchellum: Blue Sage: Winter Wonder.

Drought-tolerant shrub with silvery, feltlike leaves; flowers in summer are pink, pale-bluish or lavender. Propagation: vegetative cuttings from soft wood (tip growth), best during spring growth. Purple sage is one tough plant, it can face droughts, freezes, high winds, salt spray, hungry deer, and blazing heat and keep right on performing beautifully. It is called Barometer bush because flowering is triggered by humidity or high soil moisture after rains.

Perovskia sp. (Russian Sage) is a small flowering plant native to Southwestern and Central Asia. Growing to a height of 2-5 ft, this plant can be placed in semi-shade or full sun with moderate water. The ornamental foliage and pretty, blue, lavender and purple flowers makes it an attractive addition to any garden. It also attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, perfuming the air with its fragrant scent.

When mature, this plant is cold hardy, making it ideal for gardens in USDA Zone 4-9. This small, but strong flowering plant is a favorite for rock gardens, beds and borders because of its low maintenance needs and ability to grow in diverse climates.

When caring for Russian Sage plants, it is important to provide good, organic soil for them to grow in. For best growth, give them a slightly acidic soil. If planted in pots, then ensure the container has drainage holes and prevent the soil from becoming soggy as it may cause root rot. For cold regions, it is best to bring the containers indoors during the winter season to protect the plant from extreme temperatures.

Phlomis fruticosa is a dense, rounded, branching upright shrub reaches a mature height of 2-5 ft tall and is slightly wider at the base. Jerusalem Sage thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It requires moderate amounts of water for best growth. In the early part of the season, water more often, then reduce watering as the growing season progresses. The sage-like, aromatic leaves are oval, 2-4 inches long, wrinkled, grey-green with white undersides, and covered with fine hairs. The yellow and orange flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds and beneficial insects, adding interest and life to the garden.

The mature plant is cold hardy in USDA Zone 9-10 and possibly to Zone 8 with heavy mulch and protection under cold frames. In cold regions (down to 30 degrees), it can be grown as a woody semi-evergreen in a sheltered spot, in well-drained soil, in large containers. This will enable it to move to shelter in winter.

In the fall, remove dead flower stalks and tip-prune if desired to main a more compact shape. As a otherwise relatively slow-growing plant, applying an all-purpose nutrient-rich fertilizer in spring is the best way to encourage dense foliage.

Phlomis fruticosa is an attractive and fragrant year-round plant providing interest in the landscape with its bright blossoms, green foliage and attractive form. With its easy care, it offers a striking impact in any garden bed and is a great choice for container gardening.

Silver Sage (Salvia argentea) grows to only 2-5 feet in height and width, and prefers sunny, dry location with excellent drainage. The plant requires moderate water and, with regular irrigation, should not be allowed to dry out too much. Though many people love Silver Sage because of its ornamental foliage, it does display small white and off-white flowers in mid to late summer.

Plant thrives in USDA Zones 5-9. Care when growing Silver Sage in colder regions involves planting in a pot and bringing it inside for the winter when night temperatures threaten to drop below freezing, using it as an attractive and fragrant source of houseplant for the winter months. The soil should be allowed to almost dry out between waterings, and during the winter months the plant should remain in a cool, bright spot in the home. When Spring arrives water the plant more frequently and move it to a protected, sunny location outdoors. Once the plant is back outside, water pots deeply to encourage new growth.

Silver Sage is an excellent choice for rock gardens and for perennial borders, where it will add silvery-blue foliage to the garden in the Summer months. Plants are best grouped as single specimen or in a clumping mass as a ground cover. It's also a great plant for mass plantings and can also be grown in containers, raised beds and window boxes.

This small shrub measures between 2 and 5 feet tall and performs best in full sun and moderate water. Salvia dolomitica is a great option for gardeners looking to add both color and fragrant foliage to their landscape. The ornamental foliage of this South African Sage is deep green and will fit any landscaping style. The pink flowers attract numerous butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden.

Planting and Growing Salvia dolomitica is best in the USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11. It is drought tolerant and tolerates a variety of soil conditions. Generally, it is a very low maintenance plant, however, it requires well-draining soil with moderate waterings. Pruning may be necessary in order to keep the shape of the plant and encouraging more flowering.

For those who live in cooler climates, this plant can be grown in a pot with some caution. To help protect it from the cold temperatures, the pot should be placed in an area of the garden that receives full sun and has some protection from the wind. The pot should also be filled with a fast-draining soil, and during winter, the soil should be kept slightly moist. Mulch around the plants will also help to protect the roots during colder weather. With the proper care and protection, Salvia dolomitica is sure to bring many years of beauty to the garden.

Pineapple sage grows naturally in oak and pine scrub forests at elevations from 8,000-10,000 ft in Mexico and Guatemala.

Pineapple sage is rarely grown from seed. Tip cuttings taken in spring are easy to start.

The fresh leaves of pineapple sage are used in fruit salads and drinks. Crush a few fragrant leaves into hot or iced tea for a flavorful treat. The delicious flowers add color and flavor to salads and deserts.

Salvia farinacea, commonly known as Mealycup Sage or Blue Sage, is an ornamental perennial valued for its colorful flower spikes and reliable garden performance.

Native to Texas, New Mexico, and northeastern Mexico, this member of the mint family forms neat clumps of upright stems with narrow green leaves. Plants typically reach 1 to 3 feet in height and are widely grown for their long season of bloom.

The species receives its common name from the pale, powdery coating that often appears on the flower calyces and stems. Tall spikes of tubular flowers rise above the foliage and are most commonly deep blue or violet, although white, lavender, and bicolored cultivars are also available.

Salvia farinacea performs best in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it tolerates heat, drought, and periods of neglect better than many bedding plants. Regular deadheading can encourage additional flowering, although many modern cultivars bloom heavily with minimal maintenance. The plant is equally useful in borders, pollinator gardens, containers, and mass plantings.

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 8-11. In colder climates it is commonly grown as an annual, while in warmer regions it may persist as a short-lived perennial.

Salvia lanceolata (Rusty Sage), also known as Lance-leaf Sage, is an aromatic shrub native to the coastal regions of South Africa. It typically forms a rounded, densely branched plant reaching 3-6 feet in height and width. The narrow gray-green leaves are covered with fine hairs and release a pleasant fragrance when touched, reflecting the species' adaptation to sunny, dry, and often windy coastal habitats.

The plant produces spikes of tubular flowers that range from soft pink and salmon to brick-red and mauve, with the flower color often changing as the blooms age. Flowering may occur for much of the year in mild climates, attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Unlike many salvias grown primarily for colorful floral displays, Salvia lanceolata is valued equally for its ornamental foliage, drought tolerance, and extended blooming season. It grows best in full sun and well-drained soil and performs particularly well in coastal gardens where salt spray and sandy conditions challenge less adaptable plants. Suitable for USDA Zones 9-11, it can also be grown in containers and requires little maintenance once established. The aromatic leaves have a history of culinary and traditional use in South Africa, where they are occasionally used to flavor foods and herbal preparations.

Salvia lanigera, commonly known as Wooly Sage, is a small shrub native to Northern Egypt and Arabia. It has single-stemmed, erect, hairy branches and is often 2-5 ft tall. The leaves of the plant are soft pale gray-green and emit a pungent aroma when touched. It produces a profusion of sky-blue, lavender or purple flowers with a protruding upper lip.

To keep the plant healthy and blooming, it should be planted in full sun and watered moderately. When drought occurs, the plant can survive in dry conditions. It prefers a nutrient-rich soil and needs occasional feeding with a balanced fertilizer to promote new growth and abundant blooms. Wooly Sage is best suited in warm temperature climates and is winter hardy in USDA Zone 9-11.

In colder regions, it can be grown in containers and stored indoors during winter months to protect it from extreme cold. For indoor planting, use a well-drained potting mix and keep the soil lightly moist but not soaked. Place the pot in a location with indirect light and water when the surface of the potting mix starts to dry out. It is also important to provide adequate humidity for this plant to flourish indoors. A pebble tray filled with water or humidifiers can help to keep the air moist. Proper ventilation is equally important to prevent the buildup of molds and mildews.

Ultimately, Salvia lanigera is an excellent choice for a low-maintenance garden and can make a beautiful addition to a sunny, warm garden setting. With its cheerful blue, lavender and purple blooms, the Wooly Sage will reward you with its beauty and aroma for many months of the year.