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Salvia lyrata (Lyreleaf Sage)

Lyreleaf Sage, Cancer Weed

Salvia lyrata, Lyreleaf Sage, Cancer Weed, Lavender Sage, Native Sage
Salvia lyrata, Lyreleaf Sage, Cancer Weed, Lavender Sage, Native Sage

Salvia lyrata (Lyreleaf Sage) is an upright, herbaceous perennial forming a rosette of elongated, lyre-shaped, dark green to slightly purplish leaves, often lobed or dissected. In early spring to early summer, an abundance of pale-blue to lavender, two-lipped tubular flowers adorned with contrasting purplish-brown sepals are borne in whorls around the stems. The blossoms are very attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. They are borne atop quadrangular flowering stems, giving way to round dark brown seeds. Lyreleaf Sage self-seeds readily and can spread quickly to form a charming colony. Highly adaptable to various conditions, Lyreleaf Sage tolerates drought and flooding. It can be used as an attractive groundcover or lawn alternative as it responds well to mowing.

  • Grows up to 12-24 in. tall (30-60 cm) and 10-12 in. wide (25-30 cm).
  • Thrives in full sun to part shade in moist to dry, well-drained soils. Prefers moist, sandy, or clay soils. Tolerates wet soils, periodic flooding, and drought.
  • Easy to grow, fairly pest and disease free, it attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds but is deer resistant.
  • Perfect for beds and borders, butterfly gardens, cottage gardens, native plant gardens, prairies, and meadows.
  • Propagate by divisions, rooted sections, or seeds. Often it takes 2 or 3 years for Lyreleaf Sage to produce a dense stand on the planting site.
  • Native to the eastern and central United States.

Salvia: Plant Care and Growing Guide


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

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 10
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Salvia
Common names Sage, Lyreleaf Sage
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early)
Height 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread 10" - 1' (25cm - 30cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Kansas, Midwest, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, Oklahoma
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Ground Covers
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage, Gravel and Rock Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Salvia nemorosa ‘Perfect Profusion’ (Sage)
Salvia Skyscraper Pink (Sage)
Salvia ‘Little Kiss’ (Sage)
Salvia involucrata ‘Bethellii’ (Rosy-Leaf Sage)
Salvia Skyscraper Orange (Sage)
Salvia coccinea ‘Summer Jewel Red’ (Scarlet Sage)

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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 - 10
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Salvia
Common names Sage, Lyreleaf Sage
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early)
Height 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spread 10" - 1' (25cm - 30cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Kansas, Midwest, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, Oklahoma
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil, Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Ground Covers
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Informal and Cottage, Gravel and Rock Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Salvia (Sage)
Guides with
Salvia (Sage)
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