Lacey Blue Sage Salvia Lacey Blue = 'Lisslitt' (PBR) (Pe)
ABOUT
Salvia Lacey Blue, also known simply as Lacey Blue, is an ornamental garden plant with a compact and bushy habit, presenting itself as a lush mound of greenery. Its foliage is made up of small, aromatic leaves that have a slightly textured surface, exuding a pleasant fragrance when crushed or brushed against. The leaves are typically grey-green in color, providing a soft, muted background for the flowers. The Lacey Blue variety is particularly valued for its striking flower spikes that rise above the foliage, creating a vertical accent in the garden. These flower stems are adorned with whorls of small, two-lipped flowers that exhibit a beautiful deep blue to purple color, giving the plant a vibrant and eye-catching appearance. The color of the flowers can be quite intense and is one of the main attractions of this cultivar. During the blooming season, which extends through the summer months and often into the autumn, Lacey Blue becomes a focal point in the landscape, drawing the attention of garden visitors and pollinators alike. The contrast between the colorful flowers and the grey-green leaves creates visual interest and encourages gardeners to plant it in prominent locations. Overall, the appearance of Salvia Lacey Blue emanates a sense of elegance and charm. It is often used in garden designs that aim for a touch of color and a cottage garden feel. Its lush foliage and abundant flowering spikes contribute to its popularity among gardeners who wish to add a low-maintenance yet showy element to their plant collections.
About this plant
- Names
Family
Lamiaceae
Synonyms
Lacey Blue Sage, Dwarf Lacey Blue Russian Sage, Lacey Blue Perennial Sage
Common names
Salvia 'Lisslitt'
- Toxicity
To humans
The plant commonly known as Lacey Blue salvia is not considered toxic to humans. In general, Salvia species are often used for culinary and medicinal purposes. However, as with any plant, individual allergic reactions or sensitivities can occur, so it's always prudent to be cautious when handling or ingesting plants that you are not familiar with.
To pets
Lacey Blue Salvia is also generally considered safe for pets. This salvia, like many in its genus, does not typically pose a toxic risk to cats and dogs. However, pets may still have individual adverse reactions to plants, and monitoring your pet's health when they have been in contact with any new plant is advisable. If any unusual symptoms occur after ingestion, it is best to consult a veterinarian.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Blue
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Attracts Pollinators: Salvia Lacey Blue is known for its ability to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to the garden, helping to pollinate plants and maintain the ecosystem.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it is quite resistant to drought, making it suitable for arid climates or areas with water restrictions.
- Long Flowering Period: The plant blooms from late spring through summer, providing a lengthy display of vibrant blue-violet flowers.
- Compact Growth: It maintains a neat, compact habit, which is excellent for small gardens or spaces that require order and formality.
- Low Maintenance: Salvia Lacey Blue is relatively easy to care for with minimal requirements in terms of pruning, feeding, and general upkeep.
- Deer Resistance: Its foliage is not palatable to deer, making it an excellent choice in areas where deer predation is a problem.
- Fragrant Foliage: The leaves emit a pleasant scent when brushed or crushed, which can add an aromatic dimension to gardens and outdoor living spaces.
- Versatile Planting Options: It can be used in a variety of garden settings, including borders, containers, and as part of a mass planting.
- Attractive Foliage: The grey-green leaves of Salvia Lacey Blue offer visual interest even when the plant isn't in bloom, contributing to the aesthetic appeal of the garden.
- Improves Soil Health: As a perennial, it can help to stabilize soil and prevent erosion in the garden bed.
- 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 'Lacey Blue' plants can be used as a natural dye source, providing shades of blue or green depending on the mordant used in the dye process.
- In crafting, the vibrant flowers of the 'Lacey Blue' can be used for decorating candles, by pressing the blooms and embedding them into the wax.
- The sturdy stems of Salvia 'Lacey Blue' can be used in floral arrangements, adding a touch of rustic elegance to bouquets and centerpieces.
- As a companion plant in the garden, 'Lacey Blue' can help attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, promoting pollination in the garden.
- The leaves of the Salvia 'Lacey Blue' can be used to create a natural potpourri, mixing with other aromatic herbs to create an appealing scent.
- 'Lacey Blue' can also be used as an educational tool for botany enthusiasts and students, to study the characteristics of Salvia species and their growth habits.
- The plant can be incorporated into sensory gardens, where its textured foliage and aromatic scent contribute to the overall sensory experience.
- Salvia 'Lacey Blue' can be used in landscape design, to provide a contrast in height and color among other perennial plants.
- The dried flowers of 'Lacey Blue' can be used to create bookmarks or greeting cards, by pressing and gluing them onto paper goods.
- In a culinary setting, the flowers of Salvia 'Lacey Blue' can garnish desserts and beverages, though they ought to be used sparingly and with consideration to personal taste and potential allergies.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The plant Salvia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The plant Salvia is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Healing: Salvia is commonly associated with healing due to its medicinal properties, historically used in various cultures to treat a range of ailments.
- Wisdom: The name Salvia comes from the Latin word "salvere," meaning "to save" or "to heal," symbolizing wisdom and the search for truth.
- Longevity: Some species of salvia are known for their longevity and persistent flowering, representing enduring life and vitality.
- Protection: Sage, a common name for various Salvia species, is often used in smudging ceremonies to cleanse and protect spaces from negative energies.
- Water
Salvia 'Lacey Blue' prefers to be watered once the soil surface begins to dry out. This typically means watering approximately once a week, but frequency may need to increase during hot, dry periods. When watering, it is best to use a gentle stream of water to soak the soil thoroughly, ensuring that the water reaches the root zone. A rough estimate would be to use about half to one gallon of water for a medium-sized plant, making sure not to oversaturate the soil as this plant does not like to sit in waterlogged conditions.
- Light
Salvia 'Lacey Blue' thrives best in full sun. It should be placed in a spot where it can receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. While it can tolerate some partial shade, too much shade can lead to fewer flowers and a leggy growth habit.
- Temperature
Salvia 'Lacey Blue' is comfortable in a range of temperatures but performs best when daytime temperatures are between 60°F and 70°F and nighttime temperatures do not drop below 50°F. It can survive temporarily in temperatures as low as 20°F but sustained cold can damage or kill the plant. Generally, it prefers to be in a warmer zone where frost is not a concern.
- Pruning
Salvia 'Lacey Blue' should be pruned to promote bushier growth, encourage more blooms, and maintain its shape. Pruning in early spring by cutting back the plant by about one-third is ideal. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers during the blooming season, will encourage the plant to produce more flowers. Seasonal pruning and deadheading can be done two to three times during the growing season, depending on the plant's performance.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
For the Dwarf Perennial Sage (Salvia), a well-draining soil mix with compost and loam is ideal. It prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.0 for optimal growth.
- Repotting
Dwarf Perennial Sage should be repotted every couple of years or if it outgrows its pot, ideally in the springtime before new growth begins.
- Humidity & Misting
Dwarf Perennial Sage prefers moderate humidity levels typical of outdoor environments but is tolerant to a range of humidity conditions.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Ensure full sun, well-drained soil, and occasional watering for Dwarf Perennial Sage.
Outdoor
Place in full sun, amend soil with compost, and water as needed for Dwarf Perennial Sage.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
- Life cycle
Salvia 'Lacey Blue' undergoes a perennial life cycle, beginning with seed germination in optimal conditions of warmth and moisture. The seedlings develop into juvenile plants with basic leaf structures, and as they mature, they form robust foliage and sturdy stems. Entering the vegetative state, the plant increases in size and produces the characteristic aromatic leaves. As it reaches maturity, 'Lacey Blue' starts to bloom, producing spikes of vibrant purple-blue flowers, which are highly attractive to pollinators like bees and hummingbirds. After the flowering period, if not deadheaded, it may set seed, which can be dispersed to enable propagation. The plant then enters a period of dormancy in the winter, with reduced activity, until the cycle restarts with the onset of warmer spring temperatures.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring to Summer
Salvia 'Lacey Blue', also known as 'Lisslitt', can be most effectively propagated using stem cuttings. This popular method involves taking cuttings from new, soft growth in the spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. Cuttings should be about 2 to 6 inches long, with the lower leaves removed. The cut end is often dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development and then inserted into a well-draining soil mix. The cuttings need to be kept moist and in indirect sunlight until roots have formed and new growth appears, which can take several weeks. Once the cuttings have rooted and established themselves, they can be transplanted into the garden or containers.