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Dwarf Sage

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Dwarf Sage (Salvia officinalis ‘Compacta’)Dwarf Sage has masses of beautiful racemes of fragrant lavender pea-like flowers with purple streaks rising above the foliage from early to mid summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive fragrant narrow leaves remain green in color throughout the season.

Characteristics

Average Landscape Height:
12 inches (16 inches with the flowers)
Average Landscape Width:
15 inches
Growth Rate:
medium
Genus:
Salvia
Species:
officinalis
Cultivar:
Nana
Flower Color:
lavender
Flower Period:
from early to mid summer
Summer Foliage Color:
green
Minimum Light:
full sun
Maximum Light:
full sun
Minimum Moisture:
dry
Maximum Moisture:
average
Plant Form:
upright spreading
Canopy:
closed
Pruning:
spring cleanup
Pollution Tolerance:
medium
Other Species Names:
Common Sage, Culinary Sage
Branching:
herbaceous
Spacing:
12 inches
Flower Form:
pea
Flower Fragrance:
high

Ornamental Features

Nothing to display

Landscape Attributes

Nothing to display

Planting & Growing

Dwarf Sage will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity extending to 16 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 15 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 12 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 9 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant is quite ornamental as well as edible, and is as much at home in a landscape or flower garden as it is in a designated herb garden. It should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

Dwarf Sage is a good choice for the edible garden, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers and foliage against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

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