Desert Purple Sage

Some may call desert sage (Salvia dorrii) one of the American West’s most rugged but beautiful native shrubs. It is among the few flowering noncactus plants that relishes heat, nutrient-poor soil and little water. It is a late spring blooming native shrub with silver foliage and showy purple flower spikes pushing out from mid-purple bracts.

Desert purple sage is drought tolerant. The silvery leaves and flower heads are aromatic when the foliage is handled or crushed. It attracts pollinating bees and butterflies.

The flowers remain on the plants after being pollinated, with the desiccated flowers remaining for some weeks or months after flowering.

Desert Purple Sage needs sun –  no less than eight hours each day. Once established, do not provide any supplemental water.

My Experience:

Desert Purple Sage is not well known outside of the circle of native plant enthusiasts. It is a fast growing, heavy bloomer best suited to the hottest, most challenging planting sites.

Like Russian sage it requires so little water that it is perfect for those unirrigated areas of your garden. In fact planting this in regularly watered beds could be detrimental to the plant.

Unlike Russian Sage it will stay green all winter and does not need to be cut back in order to bloom the next spring.

I cut off spent flowers after it has finished blooming in the late spring and early summer. I follow the brown stems back to the base of the plant and cut them out. If you are into potpourri saving the flower heads can bring their wonderful scent into your home.

Apparently Desert Purple Sage can be divided but it is a very woody plant that is huge before you know it. Not an easy job. I would recommend propagation by cutting .

Cut a 4-8″ section from the young growing tips. Strip leaves to expose 2 or more nodes and trim top.  Place in moist sand or perlite after dipping the fresh cuttings into rooting hormone (optional because these plants typically root well on their own). The new plants are ready to transplant in a few weeks.