James H. Schutte
Family
Lamiaceae
Botanical Name
Salvia patens
Plant Common Name
Gentian Sage
General Description
Easy to grow and low-maintenance, Gentian sage brings pleasing blue blooms to the summer garden. Salvia patens is a tuberous herbaceous perennial native to Central Mexico. It has been cultivated since the early 1800s, so it's excellent for old-fashioned gardens. This exceptionally beautiful sage is also tough and heat tolerant.
The bushy, clump-forming plants are well-branched and have stems lined with long, oval to triangular leaves that are lightly hairy, bright green and have toothed edges. Beautiful flower spikes start blooming in late spring to early summer and continue all season. The spikes are lined with pairs of two-lipped, hooded flowers of violet blue. The blooms have a spreading, open form, are slightly hairy and are highly attractive to bees. Inconspicuous nutlet fruits follow.
This appealing salvia grows easily in full or partial sun. Coarse, well-drained soil with average fertility is preferred. It is somewhat drought tolerant once established but performs and blooms best with regular water during the growing season. Soggy soils should be avoided, particularly in the winter. Gentian sage is somewhat cold tolerant and may be grown as a marginal perennial or bedding annual where winters are too harsh. Removal of spent spikes encourages re-blooming and helps to maintain a neat appearance. Divide the clumps if they become too large. Gentian sage is a fine choice for containers, sunny borders and cottage gardens.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 8
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USDA Hardiness Zone
8 - 9
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Tender Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
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Width
1'-2' / 0.3m - 0.6m
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Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall, Late Fall
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Native To
Mexico
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Blue, Blue Violet
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Fruit Color
Tan
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Semi-Evergreen
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Bedding Plant, Container, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Wildflower
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Hummingbirds, Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
Yes
