Common name: Anise-Scented Saliva
Family: Lamiaceae
USDA Zone : 7-10
Deep purple flowers nestled in a black calyx atop 3′ black stalks with lush green foliage. Attracts bees and butterflies. Deer-proof plant. Showy Flowers. Great for container growing. Full sun to part shade. Medium moisture. Blooms mid-summer until frost.
Submission and Photo by: Carlotta Lucas
Attract Hummingbirds, Butterflies, Moths and Bees. Waterwise easy care plants. Flowers colors vary: white, red, pink , orange , purple, blue, cream and a mixture of these colors. Exposure: Full Sun,/Part Sun.
Salvia Microphylla
Salvia Microphylla: aka Baby sage. Outstanding plants with stunning flowers. Prolific bloomer from spring until fall. Low water needs. Height 24-36, depends on variety. USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-11. Varieties to look for: ‘Hot Lips’, ‘Red Velvet’, ‘Kew Red’, ‘Killer Cranberry’, ‘Mesa Azure’
Salvia nemorosa: aka- Woodland Sage or Balkan Clary. Easy to grow, drought tolerant, but plant blooms better with average moisture. Blooms spring, summer, and fall depending on variety. Height 16-36 inches. USDA Hardiness Zone 3-8. Varieties to look for: ‘Pink Profusion’, ‘Violet Profusion’, ’White Profusion’ , ‘Pink Dawn’, ‘Caradonna’ (purple) , ‘Blue by You’.
Salvia elegans Scarlet
Salvia elegans: Pineapple Sage – Bright red exotic flowers attract hummingbirds! Leaves can be used as a culinary herb and have a slight pineapple or citrus taste. USDA Hardiness Zones 8-10.
Fall Blooming Tall Varieties: Pineapple scented leaves. USD Hardiness Zones 9-10. Variety favorites: ’Scarlet Pineapple’ 36”Tall, and ‘Rockin’® Golden Delicious’ (yellow leaves), 48” tall.
Spring Blooming/Shorter Varieties: ‘Honey Melon’, 24” tall, blooms late spring, small leaves have a wonderful fruity scent similar to honeydew melon. USDA Hardiness Zones 9-10
’Tangerine Pineapple Sage’ 18” tall, small citrus-scent leaves, blooms mid-spring through fall. USDA Hardiness Zones 8-10
Salvia greggii: aka Autumn Sage. Native to the SW Texas. Good for hot sunny locations and low water gardens, prolific bloomers. Blooms summer through fall. USDA Zone: 6-10. (Hardiness varies by variety.) Best known variety Furman’s Red Texas Hardy to 150F. Other varieties: Cold hardy Texas Pink, Wild Thing, Mirage™ Deep Purple.
Salvia officinalis – Common culinary sages – Evergreen Perennial Herb – Grayish leaves with blue to purplish flowers.
Salvia officinalis Berggarten
Popular Salvia officinalis Varieties:
‘Berggarten’ 16″ tall x 24″ wide. Robust plant with large silver and gray variegated leaves. Purple spike flowers appear in early summer. USDA Hardiness Zones 5-11.
Golden Sage – 16″ tall x 24″ wide- Dark green leaves with chartreuse-yellow edges, a small compact plant. Good ornamental plan. Whorls of lavender-blue flowers spikes appear in late spring. USDA Hardiness Zones 6-10.
Purple Sage –16” tall x 12 wide- Gray-green leaves suffused with steely-gray purple producing a unique pungent flavor and aroma. Showy violet-blue spikes. Good ornamental and culinary plant. USDA Hardiness Zones 6-9. Does not like wet roots!
Tricolor Sage – 18″ tall x 24″ wide – Ornamental herb with colorful grayish green leaves marbled with white, pink and purple. Lavender blue flower spikes appear in summer. Leaves produce strong aromatic scent. USDA Hardiness Zones 6-10.
Article and Photos by: Carlotta Lucas, AGC Board Member