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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 (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 offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. 

More information on Salvia.

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Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#fragrant leaves#nectar plant#low maintenance#cottage garden#flower arrangements#fast growing#violet flowers#deer resistant#sensory#cutting garden#sandy soils tolerant#rocky soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#wildlife friendly#accent
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#fragrant leaves#nectar plant#low maintenance#cottage garden#flower arrangements#fast growing#violet flowers#deer resistant#sensory#cutting garden#sandy soils tolerant#rocky soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#wildlife friendly#accent
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Schizocarp
    Fruit Description:
    Schizocarp has 4 chambers with 1 nutlet each
  • 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 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