Purple Sage Planting Guide What Is Purple Sage And Where Does It Grow

Purple sage (Salvia dorrii), also known as salvia, is a bushy perennial native to the desert regions of the western United States. Used to sandy, poor soil, it requires little maintenance and is perfect for filling in areas where most other plants would die.

Does Purple Sage come back every year?
What Does Purple Sage look like?
How do you look after Purple Sage?
Where should sage be planted?
Does Purple Sage need a lot of water?
Can purple sage grow in shade?
Is Purple Sage hallucinogenic?
Why is my Purple Sage dying?
How do you get rid of Purple Sage?
When should you cut back Purple Sage?
How often do you water purple Salvia?
How do you look after Sage?

Does Purple Sage come back every year?

Pruning. Purple Sage sees new branches growing every season, although most of these die back in the winter.

What Does Purple Sage look like?

Purple sage is a hardy aromatic shrub with oblong leaves ranging 3-6 centimeters in length. The young leaves are a smoky purple gradually turning green-gray with a soft, pebbly texture when they mature. The vibrant purple stems are woody at the base, but soft and tender at the tips.

How do you look after Purple Sage?

purple sage or Salvia officinalis 'Purpurascens'

Position: full sun or partial shade.
Soil: light, fertile, moist, well-drained soil.
Rate of growth: average to fast.
Flowering period: May to July.
Hardiness: fully hardy. ...
Garden care: To encourage a plentiful supply of young red-purple foliage gather the leaves regularly and prune lightly in July after flowering.

Where should sage be planted?

Where does sage grow? Sage does best in medium to full sun. It can also do well in containers or indoors – just be sure it's near a sunny window if you're growing it inside. If you live in zones 5 to 8, your sage will be a hardy perennial.

Does Purple Sage need a lot of water?

Purple sage is a drought-tolerant plant that thrives in dry soil. Once established, the plant generally requires no supplemental irrigation; however, it benefits from an occasional watering during periods of hot, dry weather. Water deeply enough to saturate the roots and then don't water again until the soil is dry.

Can purple sage grow in shade?

All salvias thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Many varieties (typically those with light-colored flowers) will also do well in part-shade, but flowering will be reduced.

Is Purple Sage hallucinogenic?

It is a mild hallucinogen when smoked, and is used in Native American ceremonies and Native American herbal medicine. It is native to the western United States, including Utah, and has been identified as the plant Grey had in mind.

Why is my Purple Sage dying?

The reason for sage plants wilting or drooping can be because of over watering, fungal disease, too much fertilizer or under watering. Sage is a drought resistant plant and sensitive to too much moisture around the roots so over watering is the most common cause of a sage plant wilting.

How do you get rid of Purple Sage?

Cut the plant down to the stump to simply dig it out of the ground. Moisten the soil around the stump to loosen it up, then pull out the root system. Discard the roots in the trash, not your compost heap, or the plant may begin growing again.

When should you cut back Purple Sage?

Early spring is a good time to cut back sage. If the leaves are cut before winter, the plant might have difficulty to get through the winter time. Now, in February, the shoots can be cut back to about 5 cm. After pruning, when the weather improves, the sage will get new sprouts and grow bushier.

How often do you water purple Salvia?

Water thoroughly at least once a week to help new roots grow down deeply. Soil should be damp at about 1 inch below the soil surface. You can check this by sticking your finger in the soil. Water early in the morning to give all leaves enough time to dry.

How do you look after Sage?

Sage is easy to grow and look after. It is fairly drought tolerant, but like all other drought-resisting plants needs watering until well established. Plants may also need watering during prolonged dry periods, but always avoid overwatering.