Scientific Name:
Salvia officinalis
Pronunciation:
SAL-vee-uh oh-fiss-ih-NAH-liss
Common Name:
common sage
Family Name:
Lamiaceae
Plant Type:
Ground cover, Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Low perennial; leaves opposite, ovate-elliptic, most blades 4-10cm long x 1.5-2.5cm wide, margin finely crenate, rugose, pubescent, distinct sage scent, green-yellow to medium to grayish-green (cvs. dark green-purple with purple veins or variegated).
Habit:
Dense, Spreading, Upright
Form:
Mounded
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
0.4 - 0.7m
Mature Spread:
0.6 - 1.0m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Africa - northern, Europe (Mediterranean)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 5: (-29 to -23 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Alpine, Attract beneficial insects, Attract butterflies, Bedding plant, Container planting, Dried flower or fruit, Fall interest, Fragrance, Ground cover, Hanging basket, Herb, Medicinal plant, Perennial border, Rock garden, Summer interest, Winter interest
Additional Info:
Google. Cultivars shown or on campus may include S. 'Purpurascens', S. 'Tricolor' (see separate entries), and S. 'Icterina'.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Opposite
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Pubescent, Tomentose
Colour in Summer:
Green, Dark-green, Green-yellow, Purple, Silver / Grayish, Several variegated cvs. with red, purple, cream or pink zones, e.g. Tricolor.
Colour in Fall:
Green, Dark-green, Green-yellow, Purple
Shapes:
Oblong, Ovate
Apices:
Rounded
Bases:
Oblique (uneven), Rounded
Margins:
Crenate, Serrate
Additional Info:
Leaves variegated
Inflorescence Type:
Verticillaster
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Bilabiate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Blue, Purple
Flower Scent:
Fragrant
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun, Jul
Fruit Type:
Schizocarp
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Aug, Sep
Additional Info:
Not showy, Ovary separates into four tiny mericarps or "nutlets" that are enclosed in a persistent calyx
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green, Red
Propagation:
Seed, Stem tip cuttings
Maintenance:
Medium
Pest Susceptibility:
Crown rot, Fungal leaf spot, Mites, Root rot, Rust (Pest resistant, Disease resistant, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Drought tolerant)
Course(s):
- HORT 1193/1293
- HORT 2355
Location(s):
- (GNH) GreeNHouse
- (PDE) PonD East : cv. Tricolor
- (PDW) PonD West : cv. Purpurascens