Lyreleaf Sage Plant Details
Lyreleaf Sage for Sale
The Lyreleaf Sage perennial is a remarkable plant native mainly to the eastern and central United States, and west into Texas. It is a highly adaptable plant common in gardens, but interestingly, it can easily spread into lawns.
The hardy plant thrives despite being mowed and walked on, making it a great, native alternative to the typical turfgrass of lawns. Despite its more moderate growth rate, it is a robust self-seeder, helping it spread quite far.
Lyreleaf Sage Florida Plant Details | Salvia lyrata
Family: Lamiaceae
Light Requirement: Full Sun, Partial Shade
Height: 1-2 ft
Spread: 1 ft
Growth Rate: Moderate
Soil Preference: Well-drained
Bloom Time: April - June
Flower Color: Purple, Blue
Wildlife Value: Pollinator-friendly-Bees and Butterflies
Notable Traits of Lyreleaf Sage | Edible Leaves & Wildlife Value
The Lyreleaf Sage comes from the lyre-shaped leaves, which appear as large, basal rosettes. The plant is easily identifiable, even when not in bloom, because of the irregular edges of its leaves and the deep purple-brown markings along their midribs.
The square stem is sturdy and upright, covered in hairs, around which the flowers are arranged in whorls, forming a terminal spike. The flowers' sepals, which protect the bud before blooming, are equally distinct. They are purplish-green, hairy, and fused, with the tubular flower emerging from their meeting point.
The blossom itself is slightly trumpet-shaped, with a longer, lower lip extending out. This provides an easy landing place for pollinating insects.
Growing Salvia lyrata in Gardens
This mint-family member is typically a roadside flower, found at the edge of woodland areas, along highways and roads, or in fields. The Lyreleaf Sage prefers well-drained, loose and sandy soil, and can reseed readily with regular watering.
It tends to prefer areas with full sun or partial shade, but will tolerate a number of climatic conditions in its native habitat. Its showy purple-blue blooms are a beauty during the spring, and the evergreen foliage provides a gorgeous blanket of green in every season.
