Purple sage (Salvia dorrii), also known as salvia, is a bushy perennial native to the desert regions of the western United States. Used to sandy, poor soil, it requires little maintenance and is perfect for filling in areas where most other plants would die. Keep reading to learn more about growing purple sage plants and the care of purple sage in gardens.
Purple Sage Planting Guide
Growing purple sage plants is great because they require such little care. Used to desert conditions (lending to its other common name – desert sage), they are very drought resistant and actually prefer sandy or even rocky soil. Because of this, the most likely reason for a purple sage plant to fail is that the growing conditions are too rich. Only gardeners in the hot, dry regions of the western U.S. have real success growing these plants. Your best chance is to plant it in the hottest, sunniest, best-drained part of your garden. South facing, rocky hills are a good bet. If you succeed in growing purple sage plants, you’ll be rewarded with a medium-sized, round shrub with fragrant, fleshy, green leaves and vivid, purple flowers that may bloom multiple times in a single growing season.
Purple Sage Plant Facts
Purple sage can be grown from seed sown in the fall or cuttings planted in the spring. Plant it in a spot that receives full sun and mix a good amount of compost with the soil to improve drainage. Care of purple sage is extremely easy - it needs little in the way of water and nutrients, though it will benefit from a 1- to 2-inch (2.5-5 cm.) layer of compost once every spring. It will maintain a nice round shape without pruning, though some pruning either during or after flowering will encourage new growth. And that’s pretty much it. If you’re known to neglect plants now and then or live in a dry region, then purple sage is definitely the plant for you.
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FAQs
Purple sage (Salvia dorrii), also known as salvia, is a bushy perennial native to the desert regions of the western United States. Used to sandy, poor soil, it requires little maintenance and is perfect for filling in areas where most other plants would die.
Where does purple sage grow? ›
Poliomintha incana, also called frosted sage, gray mint, etc., is a small, pale purple-flowered shrub of the mint family native to the Southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. It is found in the Colorado Plateau area of Utah and has been identified as the plant Grey had in mind.
Does purple sage come back every year? ›
Sage is a perennial in zones 5-8 and comes back every spring. In zones 9 and farther south, sage is grown as an annual. They become woody after five years and their harvest decreases. If an older plant isn't doing well, it may be time to propagate.
What's the difference between sage and purple sage? ›
There are several variations of Culinary Garden Sage. These include S. officinalis icterina or Golden Garden Sage which has green and gold irregularly variegated leaves, S. officinalis purpurea or Purple Garden Sage which has dark purple leaves when new that turn a soft green with age, S.
What do you use purple sage for? ›
Culinary Uses
- Culinary Uses.
- Good for stuffing pork and chicken.
- Perfect for the Italian classic of Sage butter sauce.
- Can be used in salads.
- Used for making sage vinegar.
- Good in stews and soup.
- Leaves can be fried and used as a garnish.
In late spring to early summer it blooms beautiful blue-purple flowers that are edible too, their flavor is a very subtle version of the leaf. Sage is one of those herbs that you don't eat raw like many other herbs. Its flavor is very pungent when raw, which is why you don't want to add it as garnish to a meal.
Will purple sage survive winter? ›
Salvia officinalis 'Purpurascens'
In early to midsummer, it sends up lavender-purple flower spikes; it has both ornamental and culinary qualities in an herb garden. It tolerates alkaline soil but cannot survive wet winter conditions. CareProvide moist but well-drained soil in full sun.
Where is the best place to plant sage? ›
Choose a planting site in full sun, sheltered from strong winds. The soil should be free-draining and never get waterlogged. If your soil is poorly-drained, plant in a raised bed or a container to provide better drainage.
Should I deadhead purple sage? ›
Pruning salvias and sages is pretty straightforward. After the first cycle of blooms begin to fade, deadhead them with sharp pruners or scissors. Make your cut just beneath the spent flower stem.
How fast does purple sage spread? ›
This purple sage is a dense, wide-spreading shrub, great for a dry bed or for erosion control. It reaches 3 to 4 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide. An excellent fast spreading plant for a dry sunny slope, it can grow 4 feet in a single year.
Purple Sage is a fabulous pollinator plant, attracting butterflies and bees (its other common name is Bee's Bliss). Quail and other birds love the seeds. Grow it under oaks or try planting it with natives such as Coyote Brush, California Sage, Ceanothus or California Flannel Bush.
Does purple sage grow in shade? ›
They do best in long-lasting, direct light ☀️ and should be less than 1 foot from a window. Purple Sage likes soil that is well draining. Your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.
What is the strongest smelling sage plant? ›
Fruit Scented Sage is one of the strongest and most deliciously scented plants we have encountered. (Eig's Sage)Bicolor ruby and pale pink flowers bloom winter to spring on this small sage that is native to Northern Israel.
Where should I plant purple sage? ›
It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils.
Does purple sage need a lot of water? ›
Spreading purple sage
Exposure: Full sun. Pruning needs: Cut back by one third after flowering. Water needs: Low to very low; once established, water deeply once a month or every other week. Snapshot: A spreading California native shrub, this low-growing purple sage adapts well to areas that are hard to landscape.
Where does sage grow naturally? ›
Though it is native to the Mediterranean and Africa, it can also be found in regions of North America and South America. Aside from its natural habitat, people cultivate sage all over the world in order to harvest it for its medicinal and cooking purposes.
Where does purple sage come from? ›
Giant purple sage is one of the most vibrant of all Intermountain West native plants. Native Habitat: Native range of Salvia pachyphylla includes the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains of California and mountainous areas of southern Nevada and northern Arizona.
Where is sage most commonly grown? ›
The plant is native to the Mediterranean. They prefer the sunny and free-draining soils found along the coast, hillsides, and mountains near the Mediterranean in shrublands or grasslands. For many centuries in Europe, common sage was used both for culinary and medicinal purposes.
Where is the best place for sage plant? ›
This Mediterranean herb likes full sun in a warm, sheltered spot, in pots or free-draining soil, and should live for many years with minimal maintenance.
