common or garden
Salvia officinalis
common or garden (Salvia officinalis) is a Colorado-native perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 24 in tall and 12–16 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Fire-wise zone 1-2 perennial; ignitability rating 7.5/10.
Colorado nativeOn the CSFS firewise listlow to medium water24 in tall and 12–16 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Salvia officinalis
- Type
- Perennial
- Mature size
- 24 in tall and 12–16 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~11–16 in apart
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–9
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zone 3 only (site it well away from structures)
- Bloom color
- blue
- Bloom time
- early summer
- Pollinator value
- high
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Native ecoregion
- shortgrass prairie, foothills
Planting & establishment
Deep-water first season to establish, then minimal water needed.
Frequently asked questions
- Is common or garden good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, common or garden is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does common or garden get?
- It matures to about 24 in tall and 12–16 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant common or garden?
- Space common or garden about 11 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 16 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is common or garden hardy on the Front Range?
- common or garden is hardy in USDA 4–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does common or garden need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is common or garden native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is common or garden deer-resistant?
- common or garden is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is common or garden a good firewise plant near the house?
- common or garden is suitable in defensible-space zone 3 only, site it well away from structures. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does common or garden bloom?
- common or garden blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
