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Photo:
Pat Kolling
Taxon ID#
81
Showy late spring blooming native with silver foliage and blue flowers pushing out from mid-purple bracts.
Scientific Name:
Salvia dorrii
Common Name 1
› Sage
Family:
Lamiaceae
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
Plant Type:
Small Shrub (usually < 1.5' and not >3')
Common Name 2
› Desert Sage
Common Name 3
Oregon native:
yes
Western state native:
yes
Scroll down for more information on each topic
Plant Maintenance Information
Landscape Application Information
Seasonal Care
Resource Links
MAINTENANCE
Maintenance Level:
Low
Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:
5
Sun Preference:
Full Sun
Water Preference:
L
Soil Preference:
Sandy, rocky, or limestone soil
Fertilizer Needs:
Low fertility soil
Recommended Mulch:
In colder USDA zones (zone 6 and below) it is essential to give Native Southwestern and Southwestern hybrids protection from the extreme cold their first couple winters in the garden. Mound up pine needles or fallen autumn leaves over and around the base
PLANT DESCRIPTION
Foliage Color:
Other
Foliage Description:
Aromatic foliage; leaves are opposite, oval, widest at tip and taper to the stem. They have a smooth margin, and silver grey.
Fragrant:
no
Predominant flower color:
Purple
Flower Description:
Showy terminal clusters blue to purple
Fall color:
no
Fall Color Description:
Winter Foliage:
Evergreen
Winter Interest:
no
Winter Interest Description:
Leaves are retained on the plant in winter months
Mature height:
8-32"
Mature spread:
2-3'
Growth rate:
Medium
LANDSCAPE APPLICATION
Deer Resistant:
yes
Fire Resistant:
no
Attracts Pollinators:
yes
Attracts Butterflies:
yes
Native Habitat:
Dry, open scabland & sagebrush areas
Attracts Birds:
yes
Cut/Dried Flowers:
no
Used by Wildlife:
no
Swales:
no
Wildlife Use:
Purple sage is undesirable as forage to both livestock and wildlife. Attracts hummingbirds
Photo:
Kathy Ketchum
Hedge/Screen:
no
Border:
yes
Erosion Control:
yes
Windbreak:
no
Ground Cover:
no
Provides Shade:
no
Rock Garden:
yes
Cover Structures:
no
First Bloom:
May
Last Bloom:
Adds Texture/Movement:
Jul
Ornamental Accent:
yes
no
Garden Observations:
Plant struggled in 2021; pruned back dead stems heavily & it responded well.
Application
Anchor 1
SEASONAL CARE
Spring Care:
Summer Care:
Prune lightly after flowering.
Fall Care:
Wait to cut back the plants until spring for improved cold hardiness.
Winter Care:
Long Term Care:
Most of the new growth dies back in the winter, though some persists and becomes woody (Strachan 1982). For this reason pruning of Salvia dorrii is not necessary in order to increase the number of
flowering branches. Pruning the lateral branches, however
Insect Pests:
Wildlife Pests:
Diseases:
Botrytis Blight, Downy Mildew, Impatiens Necrotic Spot. (https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-and-disease-descriptions?title=Salvia)
Environmental Problems:
Landscape Problems:
Care Comments:
RESOURCES
OSU Landscape Profile:
USDA Plants:
Calscape Database:
LBJ Native Plant Database:
Missouri Botanical Garden Database:
Monrovia Profile:
Alternate Source 1:
Alternate Source 2:
Source Comment:
Sponsors
Desert Peaks Healthcare
George & Vickie Minor
Whistle Stop Farm & Flowers
McPheeter's Turf
High Desert Farms Nursery Sales, LLC
Schilling's Garden Market
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webmaster@gocomga.com
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