Lyreleaf Sage, Cancer Weed
Salvia lyrata, commonly known as Lyreleaf Sage, is a versatile, low-maintenance perennial herb native to the eastern United States. Celebrated for its unique lyre-shaped foliage and spikes of delicate lavender-blue flowers, this sage is an excellent addition to wildflower meadows, pollinator gardens, and naturalized landscapes. It thrives in a variety of soil types and is particularly valued for its ability to tolerate partial shade, dry conditions, and neglect, making it an adaptable choice for sustainable gardening.
Salvia belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which includes other aromatic plants like rosemary, basil, and lavender. Lyreleaf Sage’s ornamental and ecological benefits make it a valuable plant for diverse landscapes. What is Salvia? Understanding its role in gardening and beyond
Lyreleaf Sage is a low-growing perennial with a basal rosette of lyre-shaped leaves and upright stems bearing clusters of tubular lavender-blue flowers. The leaves turn rich shades of burgundy in cooler seasons, adding interest to gardens. The flowers bloom on tall spikes in spring, providing color and attracting pollinators.
Adapted to both sunny and shady conditions, drought or flooding, this resilient sage naturalizes easily, forming dense ground cover in meadows, woodlands, and along pathways. It can be used as an attractive groundcover or lawn alternative as it responds well to mowing.
Its ability to thrive in poor soils and low-maintenance requirements makes it a valuable addition to native plantings and wildflower gardens.
is native to the eastern United States, ranging from Florida to eastern Texas and northward to New York, Ohio, Missouri, and Kansas. It thrives in a variety of habitats, including open woodlands, prairies, meadows, roadsides, and disturbed areas. This adaptable plant is well-suited to both moist and dry soils, making it a versatile addition to naturalized landscapes and wildflower gardens across its native range.
Lyreleaf Sage is a herbaceous perennial that forms a compact, rosette habit. Its upright flowering stems rise gracefully above the low-growing foliage, adding vertical interest to gardens.
Salvia lyrata typically grows 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) tall and 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) wide. Lyreleaf Sage self-seeds readily and can spread quickly to form a charming colony.
In early spring to early summer, Salvia lyrata produces an abundance of pale-blue to lavender, two-lipped tubular flowers accented by contrasting purplish-brown sepals. These blooms are arranged in whorls around the quadrangular flowering stems, which add structural interest. As the flowers fade, they give way to round, dark brown seeds, ensuring the plant’s continued presence in the landscape.
Deadheading spent flowers can encourage additional blooming and prevent excessive self-seeding, ensuring a neat appearance in garden beds.
Lyreleaf Sage is aptly named for its distinctive, deeply lobed leaves that resemble the shape of a lyre. The rosette of elongated, lyre-shaped leaves emerges in a rich dark green but transforms into burgundy or purplish hues during cooler seasons, adding vibrant color and textural interest to the landscape.
Salvia lyrata is hardy in USDA Zones 5–8. Its adaptability to varied growing conditions makes it a reliable performer in many regions. It tolerates heat, drought, and wet soils.
Salvia: Discover 10 Key Benefits of Growing Sage in Your Garden
Lyreleaf Sage is highly attractive to pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies. Its flowers provide a reliable source of nectar throughout the blooming season, while its dense foliage offers shelter for insects and small wildlife. American goldfinches consume the seeds.
The aromatic foliage of Salvia lyrata deters deer, making it a practical choice for gardens prone to browsing wildlife.
Lyreleaf Sage is drought-tolerant once established. It thrives in dry, well-drained soils and requires minimal supplemental watering, even during prolonged dry periods. Discover 20 Top Salvia Varieties for a Thriving Xeriscape.
Salvia lyrata is non-toxic to humans and pets, making it a safe addition to family-friendly gardens.
While Lyreleaf Sage is not considered invasive, it readily self-seeds in favorable conditions. Its seedlings are easy to manage and rarely become problematic.
Lyreleaf Sage thrives in full sun to partial shade. While it flowers best in full sun, it adapts well to shady conditions, making it a versatile choice for diverse garden settings.
Plant in well-drained soil. Lyreleaf Sage tolerates a wide range of soil types, from sandy and rocky to clay-rich, and it thrives in nutrient-poor soils.
Water deeply during the first growing season to establish strong roots. Once established, Lyreleaf Sage is drought-tolerant and thrives with minimal watering, although it prefers moist soils. Wet soil tolerant.
Lyreleaf Sage typically does not require fertilization. However, a light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring can encourage more vigorous growth and abundant flowering.
Deadhead spent flower spikes to encourage additional blooming and prevent excessive self-seeding. Cut back the foliage in late winter to early spring to rejuvenate growth and maintain a neat appearance.
Often it takes 2 or 3 years for Lyreleaf Sage to produce a dense stand on the planting site.
Lyreleaf Sage is low-maintenance and generally pest and disease-resistant. However, it may occasionally face the following:
Hardiness |
5 - 8 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Lamiaceae |
Genus | Salvia |
Common names | Sage |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early) |
Height | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Spread | 6" - 1' (15cm - 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, New York, Kansas, Midwest, Missouri, Ohio, Southeast, Florida, Southwest, Texas |
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 |
Hardiness |
5 - 8 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Perennials |
Plant Family | Lamiaceae |
Genus | Salvia |
Common names | Sage |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early) |
Height | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Spread | 6" - 1' (15cm - 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, New York, Kansas, Midwest, Missouri, Ohio, Southeast, Florida, Southwest, Texas |
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 Salvia lyrata (Lyreleaf Sage) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Salvia lyrata (Lyreleaf 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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