The steppe sage (bot. Salvia nemorosa) belongs in every perennial border. The easy-care mint family with its tightly upright growing flower heads is a tireless continuous bloomer, which can often even be persuaded to give a second bloom by cutting back close to the ground. In addition, the aromatic and nectar-rich flowering plant is an important food plant for bees and butterflies.

The steppe sage is purely an ornamental perennial

Table of Contents

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  1. origin and spread
  2. use
  3. appearance and growth
  4. leaves
  5. flowering and flowering time
  6. fruit
  7. toxicity
  8. location and soil
  9. Plant steppe sage correctly
  10. Pour steppe sage
  11. Fertilize steppe sage properly
  12. Cut steppe sage correctly
  13. Propagating steppe sage
  14. diseases and pests
  15. species and varieties

    16. origin and spread

    In contrast to the common sage (bot. Salvia officinalis) from the Mediterranean region, the steppe sage (bot. Salvia nemorosa), also known as ornamental sage or blossom sage, is purely an ornamental plant. The pretty, rather low-growing perennial flowers beautifully and has a very intense scent, but it is not edible and cannot be used as a medicinal plant. But it inspires with a long-lasting bloom and is an important food plant for bees and butterflies due to its abundance of nectar.

    The steppe sage is widespread between Russia and Europe, where it is primarily at home on dry meadows, along roadsides and - as the name suggests - in the wide steppe landscapes. The plant can also be found in higher mountainous areas.

    use

    Steppe sage is particularly effective as a filler or foreground plant in sunny borders. The plant, which often forms wide cushions, feels particularly at home in rock or prairie gardens, where it can be combined very well with other herbs and perennials as well as ornamental grasses. Furthermore, the ornamental sage is considered the perfect companion for roses, especially since the flowering times of the two species coincide.

    appearance and growth

    From a botanical point of view, the steppe sage belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae). Together with about 900 other species that are distributed almost all over the world, it also forms the extremely species-rich genus of sage (bot. Salvia). The growth of steppe sage is compact and comparatively low with a growth height of - depending on the variety - between 20 and 60 centimeters. The plants grow clumpy to bushy, with some varieties being able to form dense cushions. The perennial and hardy perennial here, too, has a basal rosette from which the shoots and leaves covered with numerous, short hairs grow upright.

    leaves

    The attractive, up to 18 centimeters long and green leaves of ornamental sage have a lanceolate shape. Your edge has a slight perforation, the leaf blade is wrinkled to coarse.

    flowering and flowering time

    Most varieties of steppe sage show their attractive blooms between June and July, although they last a very long time, averaging eight weeks. Some varieties of the so-called blossom sage, not without reason, start the flowering season as early as mid to late May. If you cut back the faded shoots hard, the ornamental sage will develop a second bloom up until September, the strength of which varies between the individual varieties. The tiny and usually very dense individual flowers are arranged in slender, spike-shaped flower spikes that strive upright. The color palette of the inflorescences ranges from white to various shades of pink to light or dark violet and blue tones.

    fruit

    If the withered inflorescences are not cut off, inconspicuous, small nuts will develop. These contain the tiny seeds of steppe sage, which open independently after ripening. The perennial has a strong tendency to self-seed, but the fruits can also be collected together with the seeds and used for targeted offspring.

    toxicity

    The steppe sage is not poisonous, but it cannot be used in the kitchen or in the medicine cabinet. For this purpose, you had better grow the aromatic sage.

    location and soil

    The ornamental sage feels most comfortable in a full sun and dry location with well-drained soil. Ideally, place the perennial in a moderately nutrient-rich to sandy, calcareous and loose substrate with a pH value between 6 and 8. It is only important that rain and irrigation water can drain away quickly and does not accumulate, as the steppe sage gets wet feet not appreciated at all.

    Plant steppe sage correctly

    In principle, the steppe sage, which is usually sold in bales or containers, can be planted during the entire vegetation period. If you plant the perennials in the spring, they will flower in the same year, while specimens planted later only show their blooms in the following year. Before planting, lift plenty of well-rotted manure or compost into the plant bed and ensure good drainage in loamy soil, for example by loosening the soil with sand. The ideal planting distance between individual plants is about half of the expected final height, even in a group or area planting. Steppen sage, which grows up to 60 centimeters high, should therefore be placed in the bed at a distance of about 30 centimeters.

    Pour steppe sage

    In addition, you only have to water the steppe sage during longer dry periods during the summer months, otherwise additional watering is not necessary.

    Fertilize steppe sage properly

    You only have to fertilize the perennial if it is on poor, sandy soil. In this case, give it a start-up fertilizer in the spring, for example using compost or a universal fertilizer. Even after the summer pruning, a second fertilization makes sense to encourage the plants to flower a second time.

    Cut steppe sage correctly

    Cut back the steppe sage by about a third immediately after it has faded and then give it a universal mineral fertilizer and an extra splash from the watering can. After a few weeks, the perennial blooms a second time, albeit not as profusely as the spring bloom. If possible, cut back the second time in spring, as the dried shoots should remain on the plant as winter protection.

    Propagating steppe sage

    It makes sense to divide the steppe sage every three years. This measure not only serves to propagate the plant, but also keeps it flowering and healthy. Otherwise, older specimens tend to age and thus form significantly fewer flowers. Divide in spring if possible. Dig up the plants carefully and pay attention to the root suckers that have usually formed, which you simply have to cut off and plant separately.

    If you don't want to wait that long to propagate, you can cut cuttings about ten to 15 centimeters long in late summer and place them directly in the bed. Keep the soil slightly moist and the cuttings will root within a few weeks. In addition, propagation is also possible without any problems using seeds you have collected yourself or bought, whereby you can sow the seeds in a seed pot on the windowsill from the end of February and thus bring the young plants in good time before spring. Direct sowing into the bed can take place from the end of April.

    diseases and pests

    In terms of diseases and pests, the steppe sage is pleasantly robust and is only rarely attacked. At best, a too dark and / or damp location as well as too dense planting can be problematic. The former results in fungal diseases that can destroy the entire stock, but if the planting distance is not maintained, there is a risk of powdery mildew or an aphid invasion.

    tips

    Not all varieties of steppe sage are sufficiently hardy in this country. However, in most cases it is sufficient not to cut back the plants in autumn and, if necessary, to cover them with brushwood.

    species and varieties

    The wild species of ornamental sage hardly plays a role in the garden. However, there is a large assortment of different cultivars with violet, pink or white flowers. The varieties all form dense clumps, but differ in growth form and height. The varieties presented here are just a small selection from the wide range on offer.

    • 'Adrian': numerous white flower spikes between June and September, pronounced autumnal second blooms, compact and bushy habit, low stature between 30 and 40 centimeters
    • 'Blau Hügel': simple, violet-blue flower spikes between June and September, pronounced second flowering, densely bushy habit, stature height of up to 50 centimetres
    • 'Caradonna': simple, dark violet flowers, slender, bushy growth, height of growth up to 50 centimetres, flowering period between June and September, very rich second flowering
    • 'Compact White': numerous white flowers between June and September, second autumn flowering, bushy, very compact growth up to a maximum height of 35 centimetres
    • 'Dear Anja': simple, violet-blue flowers, bushy habit, height of stature up to 50 centimetres, flowering period between May and June, abundant second flowering
    • 'Marcus': very dark, deep violet flower spikes between June and September, autumn rebloom, cushion-forming, low growth between 20 and 30 centimeters in height
    • 'Merleau Blue': single, dark blue flowers, bushy habit, height of stature up to 50 centimetres, flowering period between May and September, second flowering in autumn
    • 'Merleau Rose': simple, pink flowers, clumpy habit, height of stature up to 50 centimetres, flowering period between June and September, second flowering in autumn
    • 'Negrito': simple, deep violet-blue flowers, dark shoots and stems, bushy habit, height of stature up to 50 centimetres, flowering period between June and September, second flowering in autumn
    • 'Ostfriesland Kompakt': simple, dark blue to violet flowers, flowering period between June and September, second flowering in autumn, clump-like habit, height of stature between 20 and 40 centimetres
    • 'Pusztaflamme': simple but very dense violet-purple flowers, flowering period between June and September, autumnal second flowering, clump-like habit, stature height between 30 and 40 centimetres
    • 'Rosakönigin': simple, pink flowers, flowering period between June and September, second flowering in autumn, bushy habit, height of stature between 30 and 40 centimetres
    • 'Rügen': simple, violet-blue flowers, flowering period between June and September, second flowering in autumn, bushy habit, height of stature between 30 and 40 centimetres,
    • 'Schwellenburg': densely growing, intensely crimson inflorescences, flowering period between June and September, reblooming in autumn, clumpy habit, stature height of up to 50 centimetres
    • 'Sensation Deep Rose': numerous violet-pink flower spikes between June and September, second autumn flowering, pillow-like, very compact growth up to a maximum height of 30 centimetres
    • 'Sensation White': simple, white flowers between June and September, autumn rebloom, bushy habit, low habit up to a maximum height of 30 centimetres
    • 'Tänzerin': simple, red-violet flowers between June and September, second autumn flowering, clumpy, loose growth, height of growth up to 60 centimetres
    • 'Viola Klose': simple, deep violet flower spikes between May and September, strong second flowering in autumn, clumpy habit, stature height up to 40 centimetres
    • 'Wesuwe': simple, dark violet flower spikes, dark shoots and stalks, bushy, strong growth, height of growth between 50 and 60 centimetres, flowering period between June and September, distinctive autumnal second flowering

Category:

Herbs