Blue Sage
(Salvia azurea)

Left: Salvia azurea in ASMSA Garden in Fall 2023.

Above: Close-up of Salvia azuria buds

Plant Characteristics

Plant Preference/Growing Conditions:

Blue Sage is best grown in dry, sandy or clay soil, with little water and covered by partial shade.

Growth Habit/Description:

Medium-sized, up to 5 feet tall, and nearly 5 feet wide. Leaves are opposite and mint-like, up to about 4 inches long. Blue, tubular, double-lipped flowers are clustered at certain points on the stems.

Bloom Season:

Large blue flowers bloom in clusters from July to November.

Fall and/or Winter Interest?

Yes. Flowers bloom through fall, providing food for pollinators. Often browsed by deer.

http://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Salvia%20azurea.png

Distribution

Habitat: Blue Sage is found in the southern U.S., extending from Florida to New Mexico, north to South Dakota, including Utah, east to Michigan, back south to Florida, as well as New York and Connecticut. Blue sage grows in prairies, plains, meadows, pastures, savannas, and woodlands' edge.

Native to Arkansas? Yes

Native to Garland County? Yes

Endemic to Arkansas? No

Ecological Value

Host Plant for Caterpillars?

Yes. One example is the Sage Sphinx Moth, Lintneria eremitoides.

Other Known Ecological Value?

Yes. Many bees, especially bumble bees, use blue sage.

Other Interesting Facts

Origin of Name: Salvia means healer, referring to the species' medicinal properties, and azurea, which is Latin for "sky blue."

Related Plant Species: Salvia guaranitica, a species of sage with a similar blue color, but defined by its black sepals and generally lower height.

Use For Food/Medicine:

Blue Sage has been traditionally used as a pain reliever.

References

Cressler, A. Salvia azurea. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower center, University of Texas at Austin. [Cited 2023, Oct 2] Available from:

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=saaz

Benda, C. Blue Sage. c 2023. Plant of the week. U.S. FOREST SERVICE. [Cited 2023, Oct 2] Available from:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/salvia_azurea.shtml

c 2019. Host Plants for Butterflies and Moths. The Native Plant Herald. [Cited 2023, Oct 2] Available from:

https://nativeplantherald.prairienursery.com/2016/03/host-plants-for-butterflies-and-moths/

c 2023. Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue' (Anise-Scented Sage) GARDENIA: Creating gardens. [Cited 2023, Oct 2] Available from: https://www.gardenia.net/plant/salvia-guaranitica-black-and-blue

Last edited by Evan Fowlkes, October 2023.

Blue Sage (Salvia azurea)