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Salvia azurea var. grandiflora (Pitcher Sage)

Pitcher Sage, Wild Blue Sage, Prairie Sage, Salvia pitcheri, Salvia azurea subsp. pitcheri

Salvia azurea var. grandiflora, Pitcher Sage, Wild Blue Sage, Prairie Sage, Salvia pitcheri, Salvia azurea subsp. pitcheri, Blue perennial, Blue Flowers

Salvia azurea var. grandiflora (Pitcher Sage) is a clump-forming, shrubby perennial with beautiful wands of sky blue flowers, up to 12 in. long (30 cm). Blooming from midsummer to frost, the elegant flowering wands are borne on slender stems clad with long, narrow, grayish-green leaves. Hardy, this Salvia features an upright habit until midsummer, but will sprawl over nearby plants when it begins to bloom. Spectacular in the fall garden, this attractive sage is perfect for beds and borders where it will happily mingle with nearby plants.

  • Grows up to 3-5 ft. tall (90-150 cm) and 2-4 ft. wide (60-120 cm).
  • Thrives in full sun or light shade, in dry to medium, well-drained soils. Tolerates heat, humidity and drought.
  • Great choice for borders, cottage gardens, prairie or naturalized plantings.
  • Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds but is ignored by hungry deer.
  • Cut back by 1/2 in late spring to keep plants shorter and promote bushiness.
  • Native to the southern United States.

Salvia: Plant Care and Growing Guide


Here are some tips on how to plant and grow salvia successfully

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Salvia
Common names Sage, Prairie Sage
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spread 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spacing 48" (120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, Connecticut, New York, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Wisconsin, Ohio, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Salvia nemorosa ‘Perfect Profusion’ (Sage)
Salvia Skyscraper Pink (Sage)
Salvia coccinea ‘Summer Jewel Lavender’ (Scarlet Sage)
Salvia Skyscraper Orange (Sage)
Salvia ‘Little Kiss’ (Sage)
Salvia coccinea ‘Summer Jewel Red’ (Scarlet Sage)

Recommended Companion Plants

Helianthus ‘Lemon Queen’ (Sunflower)
Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’ (Rough Goldenrod)
Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’ (Black-Eyed Susan)

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Salvia (Sage)
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Plants with Purple Flowers to Add Charm to Your Garden
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Best Flowers to Attract Hummingbirds
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Salvia
Common names Sage, Prairie Sage
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spread 2' - 4'
(60cm - 120cm)
Spacing 48" (120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, Connecticut, New York, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Wisconsin, Ohio, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Salvia (Sage)
Guides with
Salvia (Sage)
Not sure which Salvia (Sage) to pick?
Compare Now

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