Photo of Salvia officinalis ssp. lavandulifolia flower by Annie's Annuals & Perennials

Photo by Annie's Annuals & Perennials

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Salvia officinalis ssp. lavandulifolia

Also Known As

  • Salvia lavandulifolia
  • Lavender Sage
  • Spanish Sage

Plant type

perennial

size

  • H: 18"
  • W: 18"

planting zones

  • 9a-10b

More Options

Salvia officinalis ssp. lavandulifolia plant details

Salvia officinalis ssp. lavandulifolia is a broadleaf semi-evergreen perennial with blue and green foliage. In summer lavender flowers emerge. Features fuzzy texture. Attracts beneficial insects and hummingbirds. Grows well with sun and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in gritty, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Salvia officinalis ssp. lavandulifolia

Plant type: perennial
Plant family: lamiaceae
Foliage: semi-evergreen blue and green
Mature size: 18 IN wide, 18 IN tall
Flowers: lavender blooms in summer
Uses: compact, culinary, fragrant, long-blooming

GROWING CONDITIONS for Salvia officinalis ssp. lavandulifolia

USDA Zones: 9a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: deer, heat
Soil needs: gritty, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

A sage with leaves that look like a lavender and smell like rosemary. Sounds like we might have some self-esteem issues here... trying too hard to please everyone... in any case, there’s room in our rock garden for this one. Upright habit, growing to about a foot high and wide with 2 foot spikes of lavender-blue flowers. Full sun, well-drained soil. Hardy to 5F or so. USDA zone 7.
Popular in the scent industry & with gardeners in England, this native Spanish Salvia has yet to be admired by American gardeners. Fairly small, 1.5’ x 1.5’, it forms a low carpet of downy, grayish-white foliage handy for adding texture & sparkle to the dry garden. Blooming for a month or more in Spring to early Summer, its pale lavender 1” blooms held in loose whorls are an amazing hummingbird and insect magnet. With a stronger flavor & aroma than the common garden Sage (S. officinalis), it’s the favorite Sage for cooking in Spain & much used for scented soaps & the like. Drought tolerant but best appearance with an occasional deep watering. Hardy to 20°F.

By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

Gardening facts about Salvia officinalis ssp. lavandulifolia plant

How to Grow Salvia officinalis ssp. lavandulifolia

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun
  • Water Needs

    • regular - drought tolerant
  • Soil Needs

    • well-drained
    • rich
    • gritty
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
    • blue
  • Flower Color

    • lavender
  • Wildlife

    • beneficial insects
    • hummingbirds
    • deer resistant
  • Flower Season

    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • semi-evergreen
  • Texture

    • fuzzy

See other plant types of Salvia for your garden

aka Bee Sage, White Sage

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

7a-10b

Size

Height: 3'-4'

Width: 2'-4'

  • sun
  • regular - drought tolerant
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aka Salvia cacaliaefolia, Salvia cacaliifolia, Cacalia Sage

Plant Type

Shrub, Perennial

Zones

9a-10b

Size

Height: 2'-4'

Width: 2'-4'

  • sun - mostly shade
  • regular
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aka Chiapas Sage

Plant Type

Shrub, Perennial

Zones

8a-10b

Size

Height: 3'

Width: 3'

  • sun - mostly sun
  • regular
Photo of Salvia chiapensis flower by Annie's Annuals & Perennials
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Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

8a-11

Size

Height: 3'

Width: 3'

  • sun
  • low - drought tolerant
Photo of Salvia clevelandii form by Kenpei
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aka Chia

Plant Type

Herb, Annual / Biennial

Zones

1-12

Size

Height: 4"-20"

Width: 4"-12"

  • sun
  • regular - drought tolerant
Photo of Salvia columbariae close-up, flower by Curtis Clark
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