Species sage
blue-purple flowers with dark-purple sepals and stems

sage

Salvia superba 'Merleau'

Sage (Salvia superba 'Merleau') is a striking plant with multi-colored blooms. Sporting shades of deep and bright purples, this drought tolerant perennial grows up to two feet tall and wide, with its blooms rising slightly above green, lance-shaped foliage. Its nectar-rich, fragrant flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to its habitat. Needing little maintenance and hardy in USDA zones 4-9, it's an ideal choice for borders, rock gardens, and xeriscaping. Not to mention, it can also be transplanted well and adds a captivating color to your garden.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation,Stem Propagation,Grafting Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 8

Flowers:

Purplish-blue Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

watering

Water Sage (Saliva superba 'Merleau') deeply every 7-10 days during its active growing season (April-September). This may need to vary slightly depending on the weather and region. Check the soil regularly; when it is dry to an inch deep, it is time to water. Aim to keep the soil moist, but not soggy as the plant grows. Reduce watering during the winter months when the plant is more dormant and the watering intervals may increase to every 10-14 days.

sunlight

Sage (Salvia superba 'Merleau') is best grown in a sunny spot, ideally receiving 6 or more hours of full sunlight every day. Early morning sun is preferable, as the plant's flowers tend to fade when exposed to prolonged afternoon sunlight. In climates with hot summers, it is best to provide some afternoon shade to protect the plant from heat stress. For healthy growth, it is important to ensure that the plant is in a spot with plenty of light.

pruning

Sage (Salvia superba 'Merleau') should be pruned regularly to keep the plant healthy and encourage branched growth. Pruning should be done in early spring before the start of the growing season. During this time, remove any dead, diseased, or crossing branches, and thin out any overly dense growth. Be careful not to remove more than a third of the foliage. Additionally, prune any branches to maintain the desired shape or size of the plant. After the initial light pruning in spring, prune again in the late summer or early fall. This pruning should focus on removing any spent flower stalks back to just above the first set of leaves, and cutting back the tips of the stems back to promote branching.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Sage typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Sage typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map