The Purple Sage is known simply as Salvia purpurea, officially we should call it Salvia officinalis ‘Purpurascens’ (syn. Salvia officinalis ‘Purpurea’), however the common name will do.
This is a plant that will tolerate light shade and still produce good colored foliage. It copes well with warm climates and is generally an easy care plant.
If you are looking for something a little different in the border, this could be it as it is one of the best ‘Purple Leafed’ salvias for foliage available, it also flowers. The foliage is green to purple grey, a soft velvety appearance, and the actual colour will change with the seasons and climate zone.
The foliage is fragrant when rubbed and the new foliage is textured, opens a nice purple and turns to a silvery green..
Originally from the Mediterranean this is a wonderful low growing evergreen salvia with very attractive purple foliage, Salvia officinalis ‘Purpurescens’ (pictured right) will reach from 30cm – 50cm+.
This is a drought tolerant plant once established. It is used widely as a foliage plant, it is also a great looking plant when in flower. Flowers are purple to match the foliage tones, and height will vary between around 30cm and 50 cm..
The flowers on S. officinalis ‘Purpurascens’ are a little reluctant to appear, it is the foliage that is the start of the show.
Salvia purpurea or The Purple Sage, Care
Best grown in full sun in a humus rich well drained soil.
It will tolerate a range of soil types and a broad pH range as well.
Keep moist through the first summer and lightly mulch around the plant to maintain a cool root run.
It is front tender, so light frosts only, so a position where it will be protected, or perhaps try growing your purple sage in a pot and bringing it onto a patio or even indoors during those real cold months.
Pruning
You can prune immediately after flowering, or in early spring. Avoid pruning in winter months. Pruning after flowering can encourage a second flush of flowers.
This sage is best pruned lightly and regularly rather than hard pruned. We like to keep it low as it seems to perform better when pruned.
Summary
- Botanical Name – Salvia purpurea (syn Salvia officinalis ‘Purpurascens)
- Common Name – Purple Sage
- Height – 30 to 50 cm, sometimes taller, however better pruned to around 30 cm.
- Spread – Will spread to around 60 cm.
- Position – Full sun to a little afternoon shade.
- Soil – Humus rich, moist and well drained.
- Climate Zones – cool temperate to warm temperant and even sub tropical with good air circulation, so USDA Hardiness Zones 6-9..
- Foliage – New foliage is purple, turning to green as it ages.
- Flowers – Purple in spring to summer.
- Frost tolerance – Only moderate.
- Drought tolerance – Good to moderate.
Salvia purpurea is available for sale from most good nurseries
