Amistad sage

Sun

Full sun to light partial shade; afternoon shade can help in very hot climates.

Water

Water regularly while establishing, then when the upper soil dries. Established plants tolerate short dry spells but flower better with consistent moisture.

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil; tolerates a range of soil textures and pH levels but dislikes winter waterlogging.

Height

3-5 ft (0.9-1.5 m)

Spread

2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m)

Flowers

Deep purple flowers with nearly black calyces from early summer until frost; potentially longer in frost-free climates.

Foliage

Green, pointed oval leaves with toothed edges and a lightly textured surface; aromatic when crushed.

Growth

Fast

Care needed

Medium

• Pollinators
• Deer resistant
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1 ft (0.3 m)

2. After 1 year

   2.5 ft (0.76 m)

3. After 2 years

   4 ft (1.2 m)

   full size

About 2 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Growth rate

Fast

• Plant after the danger of frost has passed, in a sheltered position with good drainage.
• Water deeply during prolonged dry weather; check container plants more frequently.
• Apply compost in spring and avoid heavy nitrogen feeding, which encourages floppy growth.
• Mulch the root zone before winter where it remains outdoors, keeping wet material away from the crown.
• Use discreet supports in windy gardens, or pinch young shoots to encourage bushier growth.
• In colder regions, overwinter a potted plant or rooted cuttings in a bright, frost-free place.

Pruning. Pinch young shoots in spring for branching and remove spent flower spikes during the growing season. Where overwintering outdoors, leave the stems standing through winter and cut back to healthy new growth in spring after severe frost risk has passed.

Early spring

Check overwintered plants and water sparingly until growth resumes.

Spring

Cut back winter-damaged stems once new growth appears; add compost around the plant.

Late spring

Plant out after frost, water thoroughly and pinch young shoots if a bushier shape is needed.

Summer

Water during dry spells, support exposed stems and remove spent flower spikes.

Late summer

Where propagation rights allow, take non-flowering cuttings as insurance against winter losses.

Autumn

Before frost, move container plants under cover in cold regions; mulch outdoor plants where winters are mild enough.

• Place toward the back of a sunny mixed border, where its upright flower spikes rise above lower plants.
• Combine with ornamental grasses for an open, informal planting with movement and late-season colour.
• Pair with orange dahlias or yellow coneflowers for a strong warm-and-purple contrast.
• Grow in a large patio container where the dark calyces and visiting pollinators can be seen closely.

Garden styles it suits: Cottage garden, English country, Pollinator garden, Hot border, Blues and silvers and Modern courtyard.

Plant it with: Dahlias, Black-eyed Susans, Purple coneflowers, Switchgrass, Verbena bonariensis and Catmint.

Wildlife: Flowers attract bees and, in the Americas, hummingbirds. Butterflies may also visit.

• Slugs and snails can damage emerging shoots; inspect new growth and use barriers, hand-picking or an appropriate labelled bait.
• Aphids may cluster on soft tips; wash them off with water and encourage natural predators.
• Whiteflies can build up on plants overwintered under cover; inspect leaf undersides and use an appropriate labelled treatment if needed.
• Cold, waterlogged soil can kill the crown; improve drainage and overwinter plants under cover where winters are too cold or wet.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses, and no part is established as poisonous. Cultivar-specific safety information is limited; grow it as an ornamental rather than a culinary sage.

• Black and Blue sage (Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue')

  Also has dark calyces, but its flowers are vivid blue rather than the deep purple of Amistad.

• Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha)

  Has narrower, grey-green leaves and conspicuously velvety flower spikes, often with white flowers emerging from purple calyces.

The cultivar name 'Amistad' means 'friendship' in Spanish.

Propagation. Usually propagated from softwood or semi-ripe, non-flowering cuttings in spring or summer. Seed is not a reliable way to reproduce this cultivar. Plant patents or breeders' rights may restrict propagation in your country.

Accepted botanical name

Salvia

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.