Salvia dorrii
Common Name(s):
Purple Sage
Desert Sage
Synonym:
Amerosedum lanceolatum
Dorr's Sage
Flower:
Purple
Blooms :
May
to:
Jul
Showy tubular twp-lipped, elongated lower lip, flatter two-lobed upper lip
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
NO
Family:
Lamiaceae
Small Shrub (usually < 1.5' and not >3')
Foliage:
Silvery-gray to glue-green
Aromatic foliage; leaves are opposite, oval, widest at tip and taper to the stem. They have a smooth margin
Fall Color?
YES
Leaves intensify in color becoming striking shades of bronze, burgandy and deep-red
Evergreen
Photo by:
Heading 6
Small rounded or lance shaped leaves keep their distinct silvery gray to silver green color
Oregon Native?
YES
West State Native?
YES
Origins:
It is native to mountain areas in the western United States and northwestern Arizona, found mainly in the Great Basin Range habitat and southward to the Mojave Desert, growing in dry, well draining soils
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
5
Water Needs:
L
Sun Needs:
Full Sun
Deer Resistant?
YES
Firewise?
NO
Height:
8-32"
Spread:
2-3'
Growth Rate:
Medium
Native Habitat:
Dry, open scabland & sagebrush areas
Soil:
Sandy, rocky, or limestone soil
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Low
Fertilizer:
Requires no fertilizer
Mulch:
Gravel, small stones, coarse sand
Give full sun, rocky sandy or gravelly soil, excellent drainage, infrequent watering after establishmen,
Long Term:
Winter:
None just let go dormant
Spring:
Cut back remaining dead stalks, amend soil with compost, pinch if bushier plant desired
Summer:
Avoid heavy irrigationm, wet soils
Fall:
Wait to cut back the plants until spring for improved cold hardiness.
General Care Comments:
Give full sun, excellent drainage, water only if dry, no fertilzer
Common Problems
Too much shade, too much water
Diseases:
Botrytis Blight, Downy Mildew, Impatiens Necrotic Spot. (https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-and-disease-descriptions?title=Salvia)
Insects:
Aphids, mealybugs, flea beetles
Environmental Problems:
Waterlogged soils, insuffiecient sunlight, nutrient overload, high humidity, heavy foot traffic
Pests:
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