Friendship Sage Salvia 'Amistad' (PBR)
ABOUT
Salvia 'Amistad', commonly referred to as the Friendship Sage, is an attractive perennial known for its striking features. The plant boasts lush green foliage that provides a perfect backdrop for its prominent blossoms. The leaves are typically ovate to lance-shaped, with a slightly textured surface that can feel somewhat rough to the touch. The most distinctive aspect of the Friendship Sage is its blooms. The flowers emerge on tall, upright spikes that soar above the foliage, creating a vertical element in the garden. The blooms are a deep, captivating purple, almost appearing black in certain lighting, with a velvety texture that adds to their allure. Each flower is tubular, which is particularly appealing to hummingbirds and butterflies, making this plant a fantastic choice for pollinator-friendly gardens. The vibrant blossoms are set off by small, yet noticeable, calyxes that remain after the flowers fade, adding a prolonged interest to the plant's appearance. The calyxes are a contrasting deep maroon to almost black color, which creates an engaging visual effect against the green leaves and the remaining purple flowers. Overall, the appearance of Salvia 'Amistad' is one of dramatic beauty, with its richly colored flowers and lush foliage adding a touch of elegance and exotic allure to any planting scheme. The visual impact of the Friendship Sage is especially notable when planted in groups, where its flowers create a sea of purple that can enliven any garden space.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Lamiaceae.
Synonyms
Friendship Sage, Amistad Sage.
Common names
Salvia 'Amistad' (PBR)
ToxicityTo humans
Friendship Sage, commonly known as Salvia 'Amistad', is generally considered non-toxic to humans. However, it is always wise to exercise caution and not consume any part of ornamental plants unless they are known to be edible. While the plant is not known to be poisonous, if it were ingested in large amounts, it might cause gastrointestinal discomfort or an allergic reaction in some individuals. To pets: Friendship Sage is not known to be toxic to pets such as dogs and cats. As with humans, it is still recommended to prevent pets from consuming the plant due to the potential risk of gastrointestinal upset or an unexpected allergic reaction.
To pets
To humans: Friendship Sage, commonly known as Salvia 'Amistad', is generally considered non-toxic to humans. However, it is always wise to exercise caution and not consume any part of ornamental plants unless they are known to be edible. While the plant is not known to be poisonous, if it were ingested in large amounts, it might cause gastrointestinal discomfort or an allergic reaction in some individuals. Friendship Sage is not known to be toxic to pets such as dogs and cats. As with humans, it is still recommended to prevent pets from consuming the plant due to the potential risk of gastrointestinal upset or an unexpected allergic reaction.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Semi-deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Purple
Height
3 feet [0.91 meters]
Spread
2 feet [0.61 meters]
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
Americas
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts pollinators: Salvia 'Amistad' is known to attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which can help pollinate other plants in the garden.
- Long blooming season: It typically blooms from late spring to frost, providing color and interest in the garden for an extended period.
- Low maintenance: Once established, it requires minimal care, making it a great plant for both novice and experienced gardeners.
- Drought-resistant: Salvia 'Amistad' is drought-tolerant once established, which conserves water and is ideal for xeriscaping or dry garden areas.
- Deer and rabbit resistant: The plant is generally resistant to browsing by deer and rabbits, which can be beneficial in areas where these animals are a nuisance.
- Versatile: The plant can be used in a variety of garden settings, including borders, containers, and as a focal point in ornamental beds.
- Fast-growing: Salvia 'Amistad' grows relatively quickly, allowing gardeners to enjoy its benefits soon after planting.
- Aesthetic appeal: The deep purple flowers and attractive foliage offer aesthetic value and striking contrast to other plants in the garden.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Artistic Inspiration: The striking deep purple flowers of the Friendship Sage can serve as inspiration for artists and photographers, capturing its vibrant hues and unique form.
- Education and Research: It can be used in botanical studies and educational programs to teach about plant breeding and cultivar development.
- Fabric Dyeing: The flowers of the Friendship Sage may be used to create natural dyes for textiles, imbuing fabrics with subtle shades of purple or blue.
- Culinary Garnishes: Although not commonly consumed, the flowers can be used as an edible garnish to add a splash of color to various dishes.
- Wildlife Habitat: Friendship Sage can be planted to provide a nectar source for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, enriching biodiversity.
- Gift Plant: The aesthetic appeal of Friendship Sage makes it an excellent gift plant for gardeners and plant enthusiasts.
- Religious and Spiritual Practices: Some cultures might use Friendship Sage in their spiritual or religious rituals due to its beautiful flowers and pleasing scent.
- Creative Crafts: Dried flowers of the Friendship Sage can be incorporated into potpourris or used to make decorative wreaths and arrangements.
- Garden Design: With its tall, striking appearance, it can serve as a focal point or a background plant in a perennial border or flower bed.
- Conservation and Landscaping: Using Friendship Sage in xeriscaping can support conservation efforts by creating gardens that require less water.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe 'Amistad' Sage is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe 'Amistad' Sage is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Healing: The genus Salvia is derived from the Latin word 'salvare,' meaning to heal or save, reflecting its historical use in medicine and healing practices.
- Wisdom: Salvia is associated with wisdom and is often thought to symbolize the ability to connect with higher consciousness or the divine, possibly due to the psychoactive properties of some species like Salvia divinorum.
- Longevity: Certain species of Salvia are known for their longevity and persistence in the garden, and thus they can symbolize a long life or immortality.
- Friendship: The specific epithet 'Amistad' translates from Spanish to 'friendship,' indicating that this plant is emblematic of the bonds between friends and the trust and affection inherent in those relationships.
WaterFriendship Sage should be watered deeply once a week, ensuring that the soil is moist but not overly saturated. During the hotter seasons, the watering frequency should be increased to maintain consistent moisture levels, while in cooler seasons it can be reduced. It is advisable to use about 1 gallon of water per plant for each watering session, but always check the top inch of soil for dryness before the next watering. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it is crucial to ensure proper drainage. If the plant is in a container, water until you see excess water flow through the drainage holes.
LightFriendship Sage thrives best in full sun conditions, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. This plant prefers a spot where it can receive ample morning light, which is less intense, and protection from the harsh afternoon sun, especially in hotter climates. However, it can still tolerate and bloom in partial shade, though the flowering might be less profuse.
TemperatureFriendship Sage prefers a temperature range between 50°F and 85°F for optimum growth. It can tolerate minimum temperatures down to about 20°F, but frost can damage the foliage and flowers. In regions with hot summers, it's best to provide some afternoon shade to prevent stress on the plant when temperatures exceed 85°F.
PruningPruning Friendship Sage should be done to encourage bushier growth and more prolific blooming. Trim back the plant by one-third in early spring to promote new growth and again after the first flush of flowers fades to stimulate a second bloom period. Pruning is best done using clean, sharp shears, making sure to remove any spent flowers and dead or damaged stems. Late winter is the ideal time to do a hard prune if needed to maintain plant shape and size.
CleaningAs needed
SoilFriendship Sage prefers well-draining soil with a mix of loam, peat, and perlite or sand. Aim for a soil pH around 6.0 to 7.5.
RepottingFriendship Sage should be repotted every 1-2 years to prevent becoming root-bound and to replenish nutrients in the soil.
Humidity & MistingFriendship Sage thrives under moderate humidity levels, but it is tolerant of various conditions as long as the soil moisture is well-regulated.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Friendship Sage in bright, indirect light and ensure good air flow.
Outdoor
Plant Friendship Sage in full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
8-11 USDA.
Life cycleAmistad Sage (Salvia 'Amistad') starts its life cycle when seeds are sown or cuttings are rooted, usually in early spring under warm conditions. Germination follows, where the seedlings emerge and begin to develop their first true leaves. As the plants enter the vegetative stage, they grow rapidly, producing stems, leaves, and branching out to form a bushy structure. The flowering stage commences in late spring to early summer, with the Amistad Sage producing tall spikes of deep purple flowers that attract pollinators and provide a display through the summer and into the fall. After the flowering period, if conditions permit, the plant may produce seeds before entering dormancy, particularly in regions with cooler winters. Throughout its life, Amistad Sage can be a perennial, regrowing each spring from the root system if it is not subjected to hard frost, or it can be grown as an annual in colder climates where it completes its life cycle within one growing season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Salvia 'Amistad', commonly known as Friendship Sage, can be propagated most effectively through cuttings. The best time to take cuttings for propagation is in the late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. To propagate by cuttings, select a healthy stem about 4 to 6 inches long, making sure it has a few leaf nodes. Cut the stem just below a node using clean, sharp shears. Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting to prevent rot and dip the cut end in rooting hormone to encourage root development. Then, insert the cutting into a pot filled with a well-draining soil mix, such as one part peat to one part perlite. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and place the pot in a bright spot without direct sunlight. Roots typically develop within a few weeks, at which point the new plant can be gradually acclimatized to outdoor conditions and eventually transplanted into the garden.
