Sage

Family Lamiaceae

Genus Salvia

Intro/Brief Description

Salvia, or sage, is a 900-species strong genus of the family Laminaceae. It is one of the most versatile, robust and forgiving of border plants. Salvia is valued for its easy cultivation and wide variety of colorful flowers and foliage.

This bushy perennial probably originated in Syria and spread through the world via trade routes. It is also famed for its medicinal properties so it comes as no surprise to learn that it is named for the Latin verb “to heal.” Sage is said to help calm the nerves and soothe ailments of the throat as well as aiding in the digestion of meat. This explains its use as an ingredient in poultry stuffing. American Indians use S. apiana for purification rituals and S. divinorum is famed as an hallucinogen.

Although all members of this genus are correctly referred to as “Salvia”, it is the ornamental species that are commonly known by this name, while the culinary and medicinal species are usually spoken of as “sage”.

Examples

Many Salvia species are hardy only to Zone 9 and are grown as annual bedding plants in harsher climes. The ornamental “annual” Salvias S. splendens (Scarlet Sage) and S. farinacea (Victoria Sage), sold by many seed companies, are among these tender perennials.

S. elegans or Pineapple Sage, with its long red tubular flowers so beloved by hummingbirds, is hardy in Zone 7.

Hardy to Zone 6, the biennial S. argentea (Silver Sage) is a striking silvery soft foliage plant worthy of any garden.

Salvias hardy in Zone 4/5 include:

Hybrid Salvia x superba, sometimes referred to as S. nemerosa, whose numerous varieties include the compact May Night with its “lustrous and darkly sinister” violet-blue flower spikes.

S. officinalis or Common Sage, the culinary herb, although not the one used in commercial mixes, which is the more tender S. fructicosa or Greek sage. S. officinalis has gray-green leaves and purple-blue flower spikes attractive enough for the flowerbed. Showier varieties such as Tricolor and Berggarten are available.

S. sclarea or Clary Sage, a biennial, produces a silvery felted rosette in its first year. It is followed by a dramatic flower spike of white to mauve flowers in its second year. S. pratensis, Blue Meadow Clary, and S. Transylvania are similar, with dark green-pebbled leaves. Prompt removal of the flower stalk may prolong the life of these biennials for several years.

Special Features

Salvia’s brightly colored tubular flowers attract many bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. The foliage of most Salvia is aromatic in varying degrees. It is an excellent subject for cutting and drying. Its scent and long-lasting leaves make it a wonderful addition to flower arrangements. Its propensities to attract beneficial pollinating insects and to repel the white cabbage butterfly and carrot fly make it a useful companion in the vegetable garden.

This is a plant that poses few challenges to the beginning gardener. A zone-appropriate species planted in a sunny well-drained position will need little care once established. Gardeners who enjoy versatility will especially appreciate the ornamental varieties of S. officinalis, which provide delight for the eye and nose, useful culinary seasoning and a soothing tisane.

Growth Habit

These herbaceous to woody perennials typically grow two to three feet wide and send up flower spikes from 12 to 36 inches. Such a large genus naturally includes extremes. S. clevelandii, native to California, may grow to five feet wide and ten feet high when in flower! Another large one is Indigo Spires Salvia, S. farinacea x longispica, a hybrid of Victoria Sage hardy from Zone 8, which grows to four feet wide with 18-inch long wands of bluish purple flowers.

Most Salvias do well in mixed plantings. Their foliage provides a perfect foil for their own and other bright flowers. The purple and blue blooms contrast beautifully with the yellow of Coreopsis.

Bloom Time

Salvias bloom from early summer through to the last frost. Cutting back dead flower heads can prolong flowering,

Propagation/Germination

This easy to grow, robust plant can be propagated by seed or by cuttings. Some species are self-seeding but, in the garden, Salvia is usually propagated from cuttings.

Transplanting

Young plants should be set two feet apart in fertile, well-drained soil, and growing tips pinched off after flowering. Wait to plant annual and semi-hardy Salvias until all danger of frost is past. Perennial Salvias are best divided before new growth begins in spring.

Hardy Salvias may be grown in containers and fed with liquid organic fertilizer throughout the growing season. They should be re-potted every spring with fresh soil in a container of appropriate size.

Soil/Irrigation/Sunlight

Most Salvias like a sunny situation and well-drained, fertile garden soil. Many Salvias will bloom well in part shade and the frost-tender tropical varieties especially appreciate a little afternoon shade if the heat exceeds 90° F. Most are drought-tolerant and require little care once established.

Care

Remove the dead flower spikes to encourage further blooming. The stems of perennial Salvias and Sages will become woody. They can be pruned back to within a few inches of the soil. Once frost hits leave the old flower stems until the spring because cutting them back during the winter can cause freeze damage to the living tissue.

Pests and Disease

Salvias host no specific pests and are generally problem free. They can suffer diseases common in greenhouses or in cool wet weather such as damping off of seedlings, powdery mildew or Botrytis blight. Aphids, spider mites and especially whitefly may attack Salvia in the garden. They are best controlled by washing the plants first with plain water, then, if the pests persist, with a horticultural soap solution.

References

Hyland, Bob Splendid SalviasPlants and Garden New Brooklyn Botanical Gardens Vol. 18 No. 3 Fall/Winter 2003

Notaro, Debbie Ornamental Salvia University of California, Davis, August 2003

Russ, Karen and Polomski, Bob Salvia Clemson University Extension, Clemson SC. Undated

“Sage” Herb Information Essay. Undated. Sunnyboy Gardens, Earlysville VA

Sage or Salvia Feature Newsletter 2001. Mountain Valley Growers, Inc. Squaw Valley CA.