Although they produce spiky lilac blooms in spring and summer, lyreleaf sage plants are valued primarily for their colorful foliage, which emerges as deep green or burgundy in spring. The color deepens as the season progresses, with some varieties turning an impressive shade of red in autumn. Interested in learning about growing lyreleaf sage? Read on.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Salvia lyrata (lyre-leaf sage, lyreleaf sage, wild sage, cancerweed), is a herbaceous perennial in the family Lamiaceae that is native to the United States, from Connecticut west to Missouri, and in the south from Florida west to Texas. It was described and named by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.
Salvia lyrata forms a basal rosette of leaves that are up to 8 inches (20 cm) long, broadening toward the tip. The leaves have irregular margins and are typically pinnately lobed or cut, looking somewhat like a lyre. The center vein is sometimes dark wine-purple. A square-shaped hairy stem up to 2 feet (0.61 m) long grows from the rosette, with uneven whorls of two-lipped lavender to blue flowers. Flowering is heaviest between April and June, though sparse flowering can happen throughout the year. The leaves were once thought to be an external cure for cancer, thus one of the common names “Cancerweed”. Salvia lyrata grows in full sun or light to medium shade, with native stands found on roadsides, fields, and open woodlands.
Salvia lyrata is sometimes grown in gardens for its attractive foliage and flowers, though it can prolifically seed, easily spreading into lawns. Its ability to thrive despite being mowed and walked on, however, mean it can be used as a turf grass alternative that is attractive to bees. Several cultivars have been developed with purple leaves. ‘Burgundy Bliss’ and ‘Purple Knockout’ are two cultivars with burgundy leaves that are deeper in color than the species.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Lyreleaf sage prefers full sun. Ensure at least 6 hours of sunlight per day for better blooms. Most varieties can also tolerate a partially shady environment, although they show less dense growth and fewer flowers are likely to bloom. However, strong sunlight all day may burn the leaves of some varieties, so a little shade may be required in these cases.
Temperature
There are lyreleaf sage varieties from all around the world, although the majority of varieties originate from Central and South America. As may be expected, therefore, many lyreleaf sage species are tender with a fondness for warmer climates. However, there are also hardy lyreleaf sage species that can deal with temperatures that plummet below freezing.
Watering
Drought-resistant varieties of lyreleaf sage require little watering, even during the summer. They only need watering during periods of drought. However, some tender varieties and young plants should be watered regularly, about 2.5 cm of water every 7-10 days so that their soil does not completely dry out.
Soil
Lyreleaf sage prefers rich or clay soils. Drainage is also key and you should add grit to heavy or compact soils. If you are planting lyreleaf sage in a pot, the addition of perlite is recommended for better drainage.
Fertilizing
In rich or clay soils, lyreleaf sage requires no fertilizer. As a light feeder, lyreleaf sage will benefit from the addition of a little compost in poor soil. You can also add some slow-release fertilizer when planting. Take care not to add too much fertilizer, however, as this will cause them to grow too rapidly and flop over.
Planting Instructions
The majority of lyreleaf sage species begin flowering in the summer and continue flowering all the way through to mid-autumn. When growing from seed, lyreleaf sage should be sown early in the growing season like spring to ensure that plants have time to establish themselves and flower before the arrival of frosts, later in the year. You can sow the seeds directly in the garden or, for early blooms, sow seeds indoors and transplant the new plants into the garden in early spring.
However, if you have bought a potted lyreleaf sage, you can choose to plant it either during the spring or the autumn. Although the autumn may seem to be an unlikely time to plant lyreleaf sage, this is, in fact, a brilliant time of year for gardeners to get ahead before the next growing season. Autumn is an ideal time for planting or separating sage, not only to extend the flowering season in your garden but also to provide the plant with the opportunity to establish a healthy root system before its winter dormancy, so it is ready to burst into life the following spring.
Be sure to give lyreleaf sage plenty of space when positioning it in the garden, allowing for its tall and colorful blooms. If you are planting a tender variety of lyreleaf sage, such as Salvia coccinea ‘Lady in Red’, it may be better suited to a container that can be easily moved to a sheltered position, to avoid frost damage during the winter. In addition, gardeners in cooler regions may also like to consider treating tender varieties of lyreleaf sage that prefer warmer climates as annuals, rather than as typical perennials.
Transplanting
The prime time to transplant lyreleaf sage lies between early spring (S1) and late fall (S2). This period ensures robust growth by allowing roots to establish before extreme seasons. Lyreleaf sage thrives in shaded to partially sunny locations. While transplanting, handle the root system with care to prevent damage. Please make sure the new location is ready beforehand.
Pests and Diseases
Although lyreleaf sage is relatively drought-tolerant, it benefits from a deep soaking at least once every month throughout the summer months. Provide plenty of air circulation to prevent mildew and other moisture-related diseases.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Ornamental uses
In areas where its rambunctious nature isn’t a problem, lyreleaf sage is often used to beautify roadsides and public hiking trails. In the home landscape, this attractive, low-maintenance plant is often planted as a groundcover in flower beds or in wildflower meadows where it is highly attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. However, it isn’t a good choice for gardeners who prefer tidy, manicured gardens.
- Culinary uses
Young lyreleaf sage leaves have a slightly minty flavor, which adds an interesting, subtle flavor to salads or hot dishes. The entire plant, including the blooms, can be dried and brewed into tea. Often flavored with a bit of honey, the tea (sometimes used as a gargle) may soothe coughs, colds, and sore throats.
Find Where to Buy the Best Lyreleaf Sage (Salvia lyrata)
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