Purple Sage, Gray Ball Sage, Dorri Sage, Desert Sage, Tobacco Sage, Dorr's Sage, Mint Sage
Extraordinarily showy, Salvia dorrii (Desert Sage) is a woody evergreen subshrub, producing narrowly lance-shaped, silvery gray, aromatic leaves on square stems and spectacular deep blue-violet flower spikes in late spring to mid-summer. Larger than most other sages, the intensely colored inflorescences of bright blue to blue-violet flowers extend beyond the pinkish-purple bracts, while their long stamen add further elegance to the display. A favorite of bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, this Salvia is a gardener’s dream: it requires little water, little maintenance, is heat and cold hardy, and produces eye-catching flowers over a very long season. The foliage has an intense but pleasant, mildly intoxicating minty aroma when handled or crushed. Desert Sage branches freely and can form extensive clumps. Recommended for xeriscaping.
| Hardiness |
5 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 |
| Plant Type | Perennials, Shrubs |
| Plant Family | Lamiaceae |
| Genus | Salvia |
| Common names | Desert Sage, Purple Sage, Sage |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Mid) |
| Height |
1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm) |
| Spread |
2' - 4' (60cm - 120cm) |
| Spacing |
36" - 48" (90cm - 120cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen |
| Native Plants | Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, United States, Utah, Washington |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |
| Hardiness |
5 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 |
| Plant Type | Perennials, Shrubs |
| Plant Family | Lamiaceae |
| Genus | Salvia |
| Common names | Desert Sage, Purple Sage, Sage |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Mid) |
| Height |
1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm) |
| Spread |
2' - 4' (60cm - 120cm) |
| Spacing |
36" - 48" (90cm - 120cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen |
| Native Plants | Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, Southwest, United States, Utah, Washington |
| Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil |
| Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |
How many Salvia dorrii (Desert Sage) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Salvia dorrii (Desert Sage) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
