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 to 24 in tall and 12 to 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.
On the CSU listlow to medium water12 to 24 in tall and 12 to 24 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: "Woodland sage-Salvia nemorosa" by 3268zauber is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
- Photo 2: "Salvia nemorosa OB10" by Jerzy Opioła is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/.
- Photo 3: "Salvia nemorosa sl2" by Stefan.lefnaer is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
- Photo 4: (c) mnauky, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by mnauky
- Photo 5: "Salvia nemorosa 1" by Franz Xaver is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
- Photo 6: "Salvia nemorosa 2" by Franz Xaver is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4 to 9
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 8.0
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 12 to 24 in tall and 12 to 24 in wide
- Growth habit
- Clumping
- Planting spacing
- ~17 to 24 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer
- Bloom color
- purple, blue, pink
- Bloom length
- Reblooms
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Winter cover
- Bare in winter
What it will do to your yard
- Foot traffic
- No foot traffic
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Not rated
Things to know before you plant
- Spreads aggressivelySelf-seeds moderately; clumps expand slowly via underground roots
Using Meadow sage / wood sage as a groundcover
Meadow sage / wood sage grows in tidy clumps. It fills in to a moderately dense cover. It dies back in winter, leaving the ground bare until spring.
Planting & establishment
Water deeply 1×/week first summer to establish. After establishment, water 1 to 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 a well-suited groundcover for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Meadow sage / wood sage?
- The main things to know: Self-seeds moderately; clumps expand slowly via underground roots
- How big does Meadow sage / wood sage get?
- It matures to about 12 to 24 in tall and 12 to 24 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Meadow sage / wood sage?
- Space Meadow sage / wood sage about 17 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 24 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Meadow sage / wood sage hardy on the Front Range?
- Meadow sage / wood sage is hardy in USDA 4 to 9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- 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.
- Is Meadow sage / wood sage deer-resistant?
- Meadow sage / wood sage is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Can you walk on Meadow sage / wood sage?
- Meadow sage / wood sage isn't meant for foot traffic, site it where you won't need to walk across it.
- Will Meadow sage / wood sage spread or stay put?
- Meadow sage / wood sage is clumping. Self-seeds moderately; clumps expand slowly via underground roots Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Does Meadow sage / wood sage stay green in winter?
- No, Meadow sage / wood sage dies back in winter and leaves the ground bare until it returns in spring.
- How long does Meadow sage / wood sage bloom?
- Meadow sage / wood sage reblooms through the season, especially if you deadhead spent flowers on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
