General Culture:
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates very light shade, but best in full sun. Tolerates drought. Wet and/or poorly-drained soils can be fatal. Achieves best form in lean to moderately fertile soils. Plant stems tend to flop more in rich soils. Promptly remove spent blooms to extend flowering period. Cut back to basal foliage after flowering to tidy the planting and to encourage a possible fall rebloom.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
This salvia, sometimes commonly called lilac sage, is an erect perennial that typically grows to 30” tall. Whorls of small, two-lipped, lilac-blue flowers in terminal racemes atop erect to arching stems bloom throughout the summer. Flowers are quite attractive to butterflies and bees. Coarse, broad, hairy, ovate-triangular, medium green leaves (to 5” long).
Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems. Susceptible to leaf spot, powdery mildew and rust. White fly and scale are occasional insect pests.
Uses:
Borders, rock gardens, cottage gardens or wild gardens.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
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