Lilac Sage

(Salvia verticillata)

Lilac Sage (Salvia verticillata)

Franz Xaver

CC BY-SA 3.0

Image By: Franz Xaver

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Franz Xaver | License Type: CC BY-SA 3.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0 | Uploader: Franz Xaver | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Salvia_verticillata_2.jpg | Notes: {{Information |Description ={{en|1=Location taken: American Plant Food Company, 7405 River Road, Bethesda MD.. Names: Hosta undulata 'Albo-marginata', Albo-Marginata Plantain Lily, Albomarginata Hosta, Funkia, Silver Crown Hosta, Undulata Alb... |

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Salvia verticillata, commonly known as Lilac Sage, is an evergreen perennial herb native to a variety of habitats including open grasslands, meadows, and edges of deciduous forests in Europe, Western Asia, and the Caucasus region. It typically grows to a height of 2-3 feet (0.61-0.91 meters) with a similar spread, featuring a leafy base of mid-green, hairy leaves and erect, leaf-covered stems that produce inflorescences up to 3 feet (0.91 meters) tall. The small, lavender flowers are notable for their dense arrangement in whorls along the stem, each whorl interspersed with tiny lime-green and purple calyces, blooming from early to mid-summer. The cultivar ’Purple Rain’ is particularly valued for its more vibrant color and extended blooming period, reaching about 2 feet (0.61 meters) in height.

Lilac Sage is appreciated for its ease of maintenance, drought tolerance, and the soft, lilac-colored flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. It is used in border plantings, cottage gardens, and as a ground cover. This sage thrives in full sun but can tolerate part shade, and it prefers well-drained soils. While it is drought-tolerant once established, moderate watering will encourage more lush growth. ’Purple Rain’ is a popular garden cultivar known for its more striking appearance and longer flowering season. Potential problems include root rot in poorly drained soils and mildew in humid conditions. Lilac Sage is not known for aggressive roots or significant disease issues, making it a reliable choice for many garden settings.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 1.5-2.5 feet
Width: 1.5-2 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Purple
Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun
Water: Medium
Drainage: Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

native to a variety of habitats including open grasslands, meadows, and edges of deciduous forests in Europe, Western Asia, and the Caucasus region

Other Names

Common Names: Whorled Clary, Krans-Salvie, Quirlblütiger Salbei, Quirlblütige Salbei, Kiehkurasalvia, Sauge Verticillée, Kranssalvie, Kranssalie, Kranssalvia

Scientific Names: , Salvia verticillata, Covola verticillata, Hemisphace verticillata, Horminum verticillatum, Sphacopsis verticillata,

GBIF Accepted Name: Salvia verticillata L.