Salvia Salvia 'I Cavalieri del Tau'
ABOUT
Salvia 'I Cavalieri del Tau', commonly known as Sage, boasts a striking appearance, characterized by its vibrant and colorful flowers which display a brilliant hue, typically ranging from deep purples and blues to passionate reds and soft pinks. These flowers are often arranged in whorls along the axis of the plant, neatly spaced to give off a showy and organized look. The flowering spikes can be dense and prolific, adding to the plant's ornamental appeal. The foliage of this Sage variant provides a lush backdrop for the vivid flowers. The leaves are generally oblong or lance-shaped, presenting a textured surface that is frequently aromatic when crushed. The green of the leaves may be intense or muted, depending on the variety and the growing conditions, which gives the plant an overall lush and healthy aspect. Further adding to its charm, the leaves may have serrated or smooth edges and are attached to square stems, a typical characteristic for plants in this family. The combination of the colorful flowers and textured foliage enables Salvia 'I Cavalieri del Tau' to add sensory delight to the garden, contributing both visual beauty and a pleasant aroma when its leaves are brushed or disturbed.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Lamiaceae
Synonyms
Tau Knight's Sage
Common names
Salvia 'I Cavalieri del Tau'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Salvia 'I Cavalieri del Tau' is commonly known as Sage. Sage is generally considered safe for human consumption when used in cooking in small amounts. However, large quantities or concentrated extracts can be toxic. The toxic compounds, such as thujone, can cause symptoms like vomiting, dizziness, rapid heart rate, restlessness, tremors, and seizures. Long-term use of high doses can lead to liver and nervous system toxicity. It's highly advised not to ingest sage in large quantities or use essential oil without proper dilution and guidance from a healthcare professional.
To pets
Sage, the common name for Salvia 'I Cavalieri del Tau', can be toxic to pets if consumed in large amounts. The toxicity of sage to pets includes the presence of volatile oils and other compounds that can cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. In more severe cases, ingestion of large quantities of sage could potentially lead to central nervous system depression or nervous excitement and heart rate changes. Pet owners should prevent their animals from consuming large amounts of this plant to avoid potential poisoning.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Blue
Height
2 feet (60 cm)
Spread
2 feet (60 cm)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive blooms: The Salvia 'I Cavalieri del Tau', commonly known as Sage, features visually appealing flowers that add color and vibrancy to gardens.
- Pollinator friendly: The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, promoting biodiversity in the garden environment.
- Drought tolerance: Sage is known for being drought-resistant, making it a good choice for water-conscious gardening and xeriscaping.
- Low maintenance: It typically requires minimal care, allowing gardeners to enjoy its beauty without extensive gardening work.
- Herbal scent: The leaves often emit a pleasant fragrance that can enhance the sensory experience of a garden or outdoor space.
- Culinary use: Though excluding medical properties, the leaves of some sage varieties are used in cooking for flavoring dishes.
- Long blooming season: Sage often has a long flowering period, providing an extended time for gardeners to enjoy its blooms.
- Deer resistance: This plant is usually resistant to deer, which helps prevent it from being eaten in areas where deer are common pests.
- Landscape versatility: Sage can be planted in borders, containers, and as part of perennial beds, making it a versatile choice for many garden designs.
- Soil adaptability: It can adapt to a variety of soil conditions, although it prefers well-draining soil, making it suitable for different types of gardens.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Salvia 'I Cavalieri del Tau' can be used for natural dyeing purposes as the leaves may yield different shades of green depending on the mordant used.
- Culinary sage can be included in potpourri mixes for its aromatic properties and to add a pleasant herbal scent to rooms.
- The plant can be dried and used in decorative wreaths or arrangements, adding a touch of natural beauty and texture to home decor.
- Culinary sage can be used as a natural insect repellent, with its strong scent discouraging pests in the garden.
- Leaves of the plant can be infused into oils to create fragrant herbal infusions for use in homemade candles or soaps.
- The flowers can be used as edible garnishes, adding color and a subtle sage flavor to salads and other dishes.
- Culinary sage can serve as a compost accelerator due to its rich nutrient content, helping to break down organic matter more quickly.
- Dried stalks of the plant can be fashioned into bookmarks that carry the herb's distinctive fragrance and charm.
- Culinary sage leaves can be used in hand-crafted paper making, embedding the leaves into the paper for an artistic touch.
- The plant's robust growth can provide shelter for beneficial insects and small wildlife when used as part of a natural garden habitat.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Salvia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Salvia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Healing: Salvia, commonly known as sage, is associated with healing due to its medicinal properties that have been utilized for centuries.
- Wisdom: Sage symbolizes wisdom and is often connected with the sage plant's historical use in aiding memory and promoting clear thinking.
- Protection: Traditionally, sage has been used in cleansing rituals to ward off evil spirits, representing protection and safety.
- Longevity: The herb's durability and use in health treatments link it to the concept of a long life.
- Purity: Sage's purifying essence, especially when burnt in smudging practices, makes it symbolic of cleansing and spiritual purity.
WaterSage 'I Cavalieri del Tau' prefers consistent moisture but it's important to avoid overwatering. Water once the top inch of soil feels dry. Depending on the climate and weather conditions, this may mean watering every 5 to 7 days. Use a watering can or hose to apply water directly to the base of the plant, avoiding wetting the foliage to reduce the risk of disease. Each watering session should provide enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of approximately 6 inches. During particularly hot or dry periods, you may need to water more frequently, while in cooler or rainy conditions, watering can be reduced.
LightSage 'I Cavalieri del Tau' thrives in full sun conditions, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. It's best to plant this sage in a spot that is exposed to morning light and receives continuous sunlight throughout the day. An area that offers some protection from intense, late-afternoon sun can be beneficial, especially in hotter climates, to prevent scorching.
TemperatureSage 'I Cavalieri del Tau' is hardy and can generally tolerate a wide temperature range, but it grows best in temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It can usually withstand brief periods of colder weather, down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, and can manage high temperatures as it is quite heat tolerant. However, optimal growth and flowering will happen within the ideal temperature range indicated.
PruningPruning Sage 'I Cavalieri del Tau' is essential to maintain a neat shape and encourage bushier growth. Trim the plant back in early spring to remove any dead or damaged stems from winter. After blooming, prune lightly to stimulate a second flush of flowers. Cut the stems back by one-third after the first flowering to keep the plant compact and to promote more blooms. Prune more heavily every few years to rejuvenate older plants.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for Salvia, commonly known as sage, should be well-draining with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A mixture of garden soil, coarse sand, and compost or peat moss is ideal, ensuring that the roots do not sit in waterlogged conditions, which can lead to root rot.
RepottingSage plants, such as the Salvia 'I Cavalieri del Tau', should be repotted every 1 to 2 years to replenish nutrients and to accommodate growth. It's best to repot in the spring just before the growing season begins.
Humidity & MistingSage plants prefer a relatively low to moderate humidity level, typical of what's found in most homes. They thrive well in outdoor conditions where the humidity is not too high, so no special humidity adjustments are required indoors.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place sage in a sunny window, moderate watering.
Outdoor
Plant sage in full sun, well-drained soil, little care.
Hardiness zone
7-10 USDA
Life cycleSalvia 'I Cavalieri del Tau', commonly known as Tau Knight Sage, begins its life cycle as a seed that germinates in warm, well-drained soil after the last frost in spring. Seedlings emerge and establish a root system, then develop into vegetative plants with characteristic aromatic leaves. As the plants mature, they enter the flowering stage, producing spikes of purple or blue flowers that are attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies throughout late spring and summer. After pollination, these flowers develop into small fruit containing seeds, completing the reproductive phase. Throughout the growing season, the plants continue to grow and may need pruning to maintain their shape and encourage further flowering. In fall or as temperatures drop, Salvia 'I Cavalieri del Tau' may die back, especially in colder climates, becoming dormant over winter, though in milder climates it may be evergreen; it may regrow from the base in the following spring if the roots are well-protected.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: Salvia 'I Cavalieri del Tau', commonly known as Sage, is typically propagated using softwood cuttings. To do this, during the late spring or early summer, select a healthy, non-flowering shoot and cut a 3-5 inch (approximately 7.5-12.5 centimeters) length just below a leaf node. Strip the leaves from the lower half of the cutting and dip the cut end into rooting hormone powder to increase the chance of rooting success. Plant the cutting in a moist, well-draining soil mix, enclose the pot in a plastic bag to maintain high humidity, and place it in a warm, bright area out of direct sunlight to avoid scorching. Roots often form within 2 to 8 weeks, after which you can gradually acclimate the young plant to normal conditions before transplanting it to its final location.
