Purple Sage, Gray Ball Sage, Dorri Sage, Desert Sage, Tobacco Sage, Dorr's Sage, Mint Sage
Salvia dorrii, commonly known as Desert Sage, is a hardy, aromatic perennial shrub prized for its silver-gray foliage, vivid purple flowers, and remarkable drought tolerance. Native to the arid regions of the western United States, this rugged plant thrives in some of the harshest conditions, making it a favorite for xeriscapes and native plant gardens. Its vibrant blooms and aromatic leaves attract pollinators while adding color and texture to desert landscapes.
Salvia belongs to the Lamiaceae family, including other aromatic plants like rosemary, basil, and lavender. Desert Sage’s ability to withstand extreme conditions and its ecological value make it an excellent choice for sustainable gardening. What is Salvia? Understanding its role in gardening and beyond
Desert Sage is a low-growing, woody perennial with a compact, mounding habit. It is adorned with narrow, silver-gray leaves covered in fine hairs, which reduce water loss and give the plant a velvety appearance. The showy flowers, borne on upright spikes, are a brilliant shade of purple or violet, emerging from papery, persistent bracts that provide additional visual interest even after the blooms fade.
Extraordinarily showy, these desert flowers are a gardener’s dream: they require little water and little maintenance, are heat and cold hardy, and produce eye-catching flowers over a very long season.
This robust sage is as attractive as it is resilient, swaying gracefully in the breeze and adding color, texture, and fragrance to arid landscapes. Its adaptability to poor soils and harsh conditions makes it an indispensable addition to xeric gardens.
Salvia dorrii is native to the western United States, including California, Arizona, Utah, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. It thrives in dry, rocky, and sandy soils, often found in desert scrublands, rocky slopes, and sagebrush steppes. This desert shrub is perfectly adapted to its environment, tolerating heat, drought, and nutrient-poor soils easily.
Desert Sage is a woody, evergreen sub-shrub with a rounded habit. It branches freely and can form extensive clumps over time. Its low-growing, spreading form makes it ideal for stabilizing soil on slopes or filling gaps in rocky, well-drained garden beds.
Salvia dorrii typically grows 1–3 feet (30–90 cm) tall and spreads 2–4 feet (60–120 cm). Its compact size and spreading habit make it a versatile choice for small gardens, dry landscapes, and mixed plantings.
The vibrant flowers of Desert Sage are among its most captivating features. Larger than those of many other sages, these tubular blooms, in a stunning deep blue-violet shade, are arranged in whorls along upright spikes that gracefully rise above the silver-gray foliage. Each flower emerges from papery, pinkish-purple bracts, which remain decorative even after the blooms have faded. The prominent long stamens further enhance the plant’s elegant display.
Flowering occurs from late spring to early summer, with sporadic blooms extending into midsummer under favorable conditions.
The foliage of Salvia dorrii is its defining feature. The small, lance-shaped leaves are silver-gray and covered with fine hairs that give them a soft, velvety texture. This adaptation reduces water loss and helps the plant thrive in arid conditions. The aromatic leaves emit an intense but pleasant, mildly intoxicating minty aroma when handled or crushed, making them a sensory delight in the garden.
Desert Sage is hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. It tolerates temperatures as low as -5°F (-20°C) and thrives in regions with hot, dry summers. Its resilience to extreme conditions makes it a dependable choice for challenging landscapes.
Desert Sage is a magnet for pollinators, particularly bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Its long blooming season provides a reliable nectar source. The dense foliage also offers shelter for small insects and other beneficial wildlife.
The aromatic foliage of Desert Sage deters deer and rabbits, making it a practical choice for gardens prone to browsing wildlife.
Desert Sage is highly drought-tolerant once established. It thrives in dry, well-drained soils and requires minimal supplemental watering, even in prolonged dry spells. Discover 20 Top Salvia Varieties for a Thriving Xeriscape.
Salvia dorrii is non-toxic to humans and pets, making it a safe addition to family-friendly gardens.
Desert Sage is not invasive. While it may self-seed under optimal conditions, it is easy to control and rarely becomes a nuisance.
Desert Sage thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. It performs best in open, sunny locations where it can receive ample light.
Plant in well-drained soil. Desert Sage tolerates poor, sandy, or rocky soils, making it ideal for challenging sites.
Water deeply during the first growing season to establish strong roots. Once established, Desert Sage is highly drought-tolerant and thrives with minimal watering.
Desert Sage typically does not require fertilization. Over-fertilizing can result in excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers. If desired, apply a light dose of balanced fertilizer in early spring.
Remove spent flower spikes to encourage additional blooming. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a neat appearance and promote vigorous new growth.
Desert Sage is generally pest and disease-resistant. However, occasional issues may include:
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 | 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 | California, United States, Idaho, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Washington, Southwest, Arizona, Utah, Rocky Mountains |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
Garden Styles | Mediterranean Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |
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 | 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 | California, United States, Idaho, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Washington, Southwest, Arizona, Utah, Rocky Mountains |
Tolerance | Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil |
Attracts | Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders |
Garden Styles | Mediterranean Garden, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |
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.
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