Species wood sage

wood sage

Salvia sylvestris 'Rhapsody in Blue'

Wood sage (Salvia sylvestris 'Rhapsody in Blue') is a beautiful plant with deep blue flowers with a unique white bicolor banding. It has silver gray green foliage, making it an attractive garden addition. It is a perennial variety, with a bush-like habit, and grows best in full sun. The plant blooms from late summer into early autumn and requires very little care. Its fragrant foliage and flowers attract butterflies and bees, making them beneficial to wildlife. With its high bloom power and easy maintenance, 'Rhapsody in Blue' is an ideal choice for landscapes with limited space.

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.

Season

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

Wood sage typically starts flowering in May.

Hardiness Map