Wood sage typically starts flowering in May.
wood sage
Salvia sylvestris 'Rhapsody in Blue'
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Minimum
Propagation:
Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Seed Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
4 - 8
Flowers:
Blue-violet Flowers
Sun:
Full sun
Leaf:
Yes
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Low
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Wood sage should be watered on an as-needed basis. Allow the top inch or 2 of soil to become dry before watering thoroughly. Use lukewarm water to avoid shocking the plant. During the growing season, water enough to keep the soil moist, but not soggy. During the winter months, water much less, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. It's best to water in the morning so the leaves have time to dry before nightfall.
sunlight
Wood sage (Salvia sylvestris 'Rhapsody in Blue') requires a lot of bright, direct sunlight to survive and thrive. This species of plant prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day, with the best results coming from 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. These hours should spread throughout the day, with some early morning sun and some late afternoon sun. If planted in full sun, make sure to water deeply and regularly to avoid the roots drying out, and provide some protection from the intense afternoon sun.
pruning
Wood Sage, or Salvia sylvestris 'Rhapsody in Blue', typically does not require much pruning. To keep the plant looking tidy, it can be lightly pruned in early spring each year to remove dead or damaged branches. If the plant has grown too large for its current location, it can be cut back to half its size in late spring (after flowering). In addition, deadheading spent flowers will help to promote additional blooms and prevent the plant from self-seeding. Regular pruning will also encourage more bushy, full growth.