Promising Plants Profiles

Salvia azurea var. grandiflora

syn. S. pitcheri, S. azurea ssp. pitcheri

Genus: Salvia
Specific Epithet: azurea
Varietas (Variety): grandiflora
Common Names: prairie sage, blue sage, pitcher sage, azure blue sage
Family: Lamiaceae

Flower Color: blue
Form: herbaceous perennial
Hardiness Zone: 5-9
Height: 3-4'
Width: 2-4'
Soil: dry, well-drained soil
Sun: full sun

Uses: ornamental, craft, aromatic, butterfly gardens
Parts Used: leaves, flowers

"In late summer, this Salvia is one of the most asked about plants in the garden. It is a wonderful garden plant native to prairies of the Central United States and naturalized throughout the Southeast. Salvia azurea var. grandiflora is a must for lovers of true blue flowers. Salvia azurea has several forms, however the variety grandiflora is the most common and showy of the species. It is a hardy herbaceous perennial throughout most of the United States, at least to Zone 5, but having good winter drainage is the key to overwintering in colder climates. Growing 3 to 4 feet tall with a somewhat lax growing habit, prairie sage is a wonderful plant for weaving into a mixed planting as a clump and can spread 2 to 4 feet. I know gardeners who tighten the growing habit by pinching the plant early in the growing season. Planting it in a dry site will also help keep the growth habit more compact as it seems not to be particular of soil type. The 3- to 4-inch long, linear leaves are covered with dense hairs, giving them a grayish-green color. The color and texture makes it easy to combine with other garden plants. The leaves have a musky sweet fragrance when brushed or crushed and can be dried and used as an addition to potpourri.

The real beauty of this plant is the 5- to 6-inch long inflorescence with whorls of true blue flowers. Each flower can be up to ½ inch wide, and many flowers open on the flower spike at once, creating a beautiful show. Since not all of the flowers open at the same time, the show lasts for a month to 6 weeks beginning in August in the National Herb Garden. The flowers also make long lasting cut flowers.

Propagation of blue sage is fairly easy growing from seed, cuttings, or division."
– James R. Adams, Curator of the National Herb Garden, Promising Plants Presentation, 2005

Plant/Seed Source: widely available

Printable version of profile*

Salvia azurea var. grandiflora message board* (members only)

*will open in new browser window

Disclaimer

Back to Promising Plants main page