Amethyst Lips Salvia Salvia Amethyst Lips = 'Dyspurp'
ABOUT
Salvia Amethyst Lips, commonly known as Amethyst Lips, is a striking plant that stands out due to its unique and vibrant bloom colors. The flowers themselves are a standout feature, presenting a bicolored aesthetic: the upper parts typically showcase a deep, rich purple hue that could be likened to an amethyst gemstone, while the lower parts of the flowers offer a contrasting crisp white. This two-toned coloration is particularly eye-catching and creates a stunning display that can attract both the eyes of onlookers and a variety of pollinators such as bees and butterflies. The Amethyst Lips salvia plant has a bushy growth habit, featuring dense clusters of these vibrant flowers. The blooms are carried on upright stems that thrust them upwards and outwards, making the flowers highly visible and creating a sense of lushness. The foliage of the plant is comprised of green leaves, which are often aromatic when handled or brushed against, adding another sensory dimension to its cultivation in a garden. Throughout its blooming season, the Amethyst Lips salvia is capable of producing a continuous show of its distinctive flowers. The plant pairs its floral display with a hardiness that allows it to thrive in a variety of settings, although its specific care requirements must be considered for the best performance. Amethyst Lips remains a popular choice amongst gardeners who wish to introduce a splash of dramatic color and a touch of elegance to their landscapes.
About this plant
- Names
Family
Lamiaceae
Synonyms
Amethyst Lips Salvia, Bicolor Sage
Common names
Salvia 'Dyspurp'
- Toxicity
To humans
The common name for Salvia Amethyst Lips is Salvia or Sage. Generally, most Salvia species, including this one, are not toxic to humans. They are often grown for ornamental purposes and some species are even used in cooking (i.e., common sage). However, as with any plant, individual allergic reactions or sensitivities can occur. If someone were to ingest a part of the plant and experience symptoms such as gastrointestinal upset or an allergic reaction, it would be wise to consult with a healthcare provider.
To pets
The common name for Salvia Amethyst Lips is Salvia or Sage. Salvia species are generally considered non-toxic to common domestic pets like dogs and cats. They are often used in gardens and landscapes without posing a risk to pets. However, if a pet were to ingest large amounts of the plant, mild gastrointestinal upset could potentially occur. If you suspect your pet has eaten a significant amount of Salvia and is showing signs of distress, it is recommended to contact your veterinarian.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Mixed
Height
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Spread
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
7
Native area
Mexico
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Attracts Pollinators: The 'Dyspurp' is known to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, enhancing biodiversity in the garden.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it has good drought resistance, making it suitable for low-water gardens.
- Colorful Blooms: It features vibrant purple and white bicolored flowers that add aesthetic appeal to garden landscapes.
- Long Flowering Season: It has a prolonged blooming period from late spring to frost, providing long-lasting color in the garden.
- Deer Resistant: The plant is generally resistant to deer, which helps to prevent grazing damage in garden settings.
- Low Maintenance: Salvia requires minimal care once established, making it ideal for gardeners looking for easy-to-care-for plants.
- Herbaceous Perennial: As a perennial, it returns year after year, reducing the need for annual replanting.
- Scented Foliage: The leaves of the plant are aromatic, which can add a pleasant fragrance to the garden.
- Compact Growth Habit: It has a tidy and compact growth form, which makes it a good fit for borders, containers, and small spaces.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- Salvia Amethyst Lips can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, providing a range of purple hues dependent on the mordant used.
- These plants make excellent additions to bouquets and floral arrangements due to their vibrant color and unique appearance.
- They can be planted to create a living fence or boundary, as they grow upright and can become quite bushy with regular pruning.
- Salvia Amethyst Lips' flowers can be used in the crafting of floral waters or perfumes, offering a subtle scent.
- The plant can be used as a focal point in a butterfly garden, attracting various species with its vivid flowers.
- It may be utilized in educational gardens to demonstrate the relationship between flowering plants and pollinators like bees and hummingbirds.
- Dried Salvia Amethyst Lips flowers can serve as a natural potpourri, providing a pleasant aroma to indoor spaces.
- These salvias can be used in permaculture designs, contributing to the biodiversity of the garden ecosystem.
- Salvia Amethyst Lips, with their attractive blooms, can be used for photographic purposes, adding aesthetic value to nature photography.
- They can be incorporated into creative garden path designs, using their color and form to accentuate curves and borders in the landscape.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The Salvias are not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Salvias are not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Healing: Salvias have long been associated with healing properties, as the name 'Salvia' comes from the Latin 'salvere' meaning 'to heal' or 'to save'. Salvia Amethyst Lips, with its striking color, also embodies this sense of therapeutic and restorative qualities.
- Wisdom: The sage family, to which this plant belongs, symbolizes wisdom. It's said that the presence of sage plants like Salvia Amethyst Lips can impart wisdom and clarity of thought.
- Protection: Sage plants have been used in various cultures for protection against evil and to cleanse spaces, suggesting that Salvia Amethyst Lips may also carry this protective symbolism.
- Longevity: In some traditions, sage is a symbol of immortality and longevity, which could suggest that Salvia Amethyst Lips also represents the desire for a long and healthy life.
- Spiritual Enlightenment: The vibrant and almost mystical appearance of Salvia Amethyst Lips may imply a connection to spiritual enlightenment and the pursuit of higher knowledge.
- Water
For 'Amethyst Lips' salvia, also known as Bicolored Sage, watering should be done deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Typically, this means watering approximately once a week with about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water, depending on the climate and soil conditions. During the hot summer months, the watering frequency may increase, especially if the plant is in a particularly sunny and warm spot. It's important to avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of fungal diseases—instead, water at the base of the plant. In cooler months or during rainy seasons, reduce the amount of water to prevent waterlogging.
- Light
'Amethyst Lips' salvia thrives in full sun to partial shade. An ideal spot for this plant is one where it can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Morning sun with afternoon shade is often perfect, especially in hotter climates to prevent scorching. If grown indoors, place the plant near a south-facing window for optimal light conditions.
- Temperature
'Amethyst Lips' salvia can tolerate a wide range of temperatures but prefers to be kept in conditions between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Although it can withstand occasional dips in temperature, it's best to avoid exposing the plant to conditions below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. 'Amethyst Lips' salvia typically flourishes in the warmth of spring through early fall.
- Pruning
Pruning 'Amethyst Lips' salvia is important for maintaining its shape and promoting vigorous blooming. It should be pruned in early spring by cutting back the previous year's growth to about 6 inches to encourage fresh shoots. During the blooming season, deadheading or cutting back spent flowers will help stimulate a second bloom. The best time for heavy pruning is just after the last frost has passed.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
For Salvia 'Amethyst Lips', a well-draining soil mix is essential, which can be achieved by combining two parts loam, one part sand, and one part compost or well-rotted manure. The ideal soil pH for this salvia should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0. Amending the soil with organic matter can help maintain pH and improve soil structure.
- Repotting
Salvia 'Amethyst Lips' typically doesn't require frequent repotting and can be repotted every 2-3 years as the plant outgrows its pot or the soil becomes depleted. Ensure that the new pot has good drainage holes and is only slightly larger than the previous one to prevent waterlogging.
- Humidity & Misting
Salvia 'Amethyst Lips' thrives best in moderate humidity levels. It's adaptable to average home humidity conditions but doesn't require high humidity specific to tropical plants. Maintaining consistent humidity will support healthy growth, but it's not as critical as proper sunlight and watering.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Place in bright indirect light, maintain moist soil.
Outdoor
Choose sunny spot, protect from extreme cold.
Hardiness zone
7-9 USDA
- Life cycle
'Amethyst Lips' Sage, properly known as Salvia 'Dyspurp', begins its life cycle when seeds are germinated in moist, well-draining soil, typically in late winter to early spring under the right temperature and light conditions. The seedlings emerge and develop into young plants, with distinctive foliage that forms a compact, bushy growth habit. As the plants mature, they begin to produce spikes of two-toned flowers, usually a combination of deep purple and white, which attract pollinators and are most abundant from late spring to summer. After the flowering period, if pollinated, the plant may produce seeds that can be collected for propagation or left to self-seed in the garden. Throughout its growing season, 'Amethyst Lips' Sage requires maintenance, including regular watering, deadheading to encourage more blooms, and pruning to maintain shape and health. As a perennial, the plant will die back to the ground in the fall with the onset of colder weather, only to return from its root system with new growth the following spring.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: The Salvia Amethyst Lips, also known by its cultivar name 'Dyspurp', can be propagated by semi-ripe cuttings during late summer. To do this, one must choose healthy, non-flowering stems and make a cutting about 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long. The leaves from the lower half of the cutting should be removed and the base of the cutting dipped in rooting hormone to enhance growth. It should then be placed in a well-draining potting mix, ensuring that at least two nodes are buried where leaves were removed. The pot should be kept in a bright, indirect light location and maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging. Roots usually develop within a few weeks, after which the new plants can be transplanted to individual pots.