Alphabetical Plant Listing

Salvia dorrii (Desert Sage)

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.

  • Grows up to 1-3 ft. tall (30-90 cm) and 2-4 ft. wide (60-120 cm).
  • Enjoys full sun in drysandy, sharply-drained soils.
  • Very useful and adaptable in the garden, it is trouble-free and easy to grow. Makes an attractive accent in borders, butterfly gardens, or dry desert gardens.
  • Drought tolerant, deer and rabbit resistant.
  • Propagate from seeds or softwood cuttings. Cold-moist stratification is usually required for germination.
  • Native to the western United States.

Salvia: Plant Care and Growing Guide

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Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19
Plant Type Perennials, Shrubs
Plant Family Salvia - 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)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, California, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Utah, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden

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Great Plant Combination Ideas with Salvia - Sage

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Tdlucas5000, Flickr, Frayn, Shutterstock

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.


Requirements

Hardiness 5 – 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19
Plant Type Perennials, Shrubs
Plant Family Salvia - 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)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, California, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Utah, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Salvia - Sage

Guides with Salvia - Sage

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