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Salvia officinalis ‘Purpurascens’ (Purple Sage)

Purple Sage, Salvia officinalis Purpurascens Group, Salvia officinalis 'Purpurea'

AGM Award
Salvia Officinalis 'Purpurascens', Purple Sage, Salvia officinalis Purpurascens Group, Salvia officinalis 'Purpurea', award-winning salvia, Purple Salvia, Evergreen shrub

Prized for its dusky purple foliage, award-winner Salvia officinalis ‘Purpurascens’ (Purple Sage) is a compact, semi-evergreen dwarf shrub or perennial with strongly aromatic, oblong, purple young leaves delicately maturing to silvery-green. In early summer, it sends up whorls of two-lipped, lavender-blue flowers on short, upright flower spikes. Enjoying both ornamental and culinary qualities, Purple Sage is a favorite of many cooks and gardeners for its unique flavor and lovely foliage. This foliage plant is great for the herb garden and wonderful in perennial borders and cottage gardens.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • Easy to grow, Purple Sage grows in clumps up to 12-24 in. high (30-60 cm) and nearly as wide.
  • Enjoys full sun (light shade is tolerated) in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Avoid excessive winter wet.
  • This superb cultivar is really an interesting plant that makes an attractive accent in beds and borders, city gardens, cottage gardens, Mediterranean gardens, herb gardens or containers.
  • Virtually disease free, but watch for slugs, snails and leafhoppers.
  • Drought tolerant and deer resistant, it is attractive to bees, butterflies and occasionally to hummingbirds.
  • Clip the foliage back in spring to promote fresh new leaves.
  • Propagate by softwood cuttings in spring or semi-hardwood in late summer

Salvia: Plant Care and Growing Guide


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

Requirements

Hardiness 6 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 10
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Herbs, Perennials, Shrubs
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Salvia
Common names Common Sage, Sage, Garden Sage
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

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

Recommended Companion Plants

Penstemon ‘Garnet’ (Beardtongue)
Iris ‘Dusky Challenger’ (Bearded Iris)
Pennisetum villosum (Feathertop Grass)
Lychnis coronaria (Rose Campion)
Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’
Agastache ‘Blue Boa’ (Giant Hyssop)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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6 Reasons You Should Create a Butterfly Garden
Salvia (Sage)
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Hummingbird
Best Annual Flowers and Plants for Full Sun
Companion Planting With Herbs
Wonderful Plants That Repel Insects
Great Rose Companion Plants: Nepeta, Salvia and Lavandula
Hardy Perennial Salvias (Sage)
Salvia guaranitica (Blue Anise Sage)
Plants with Purple Flowers to Add Charm to Your Garden
Salvia: Plant Care and Growing Guide
Best Flowers to Attract Hummingbirds
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 6 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 10
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Herbs, Perennials, Shrubs
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Salvia
Common names Common Sage, Sage, Garden Sage
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Semi-Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Salvia (Sage)
Guides with
Salvia (Sage)
Not sure which Salvia (Sage) to pick?
Compare Now

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