Meadow sage / wood sage
Salvia nemorosa
Meadow sage / wood sage (Salvia nemorosa) is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 12–24 in tall and 12–24 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. Front Range perennial-border staple. Dense purple flower spikes; deadheading prompts a second flush.
low to medium water12–24 in tall and 12–24 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
At a glance
- Botanical name
- Salvia nemorosa
- Variety / cultivar
- 'May Night', 'Caradonna', 'Marcus'
- Type
- Groundcover
- Mature size
- 12–24 in tall and 12–24 in wide
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- full sun
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Bloom color
- purple, blue, pink
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer
- Pollinator value
- high
Planting & establishment
Water deeply 1×/week first summer to establish. After establishment, water 1–2×/month during dry stretches.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Meadow sage / wood sage good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes. Meadow sage / wood sage is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a groundcover suited to Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Meadow sage / wood sage get?
- It matures to about 12–24 in tall and 12–24 in wide.
- How much water does Meadow sage / wood sage need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Meadow sage / wood sage native to Colorado?
- No — it is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
