Plant Library

Other Names:  Balearic Island Sage

Description:

An interesting perennial with dense whorls of lilac-pink flowers in spring; silvery gray-green woolly leaves are interesting all season

Ornamental Features

Italian Jerusalem Sage features bold spikes of lilac purple hooded flowers with pink overtones rising above the foliage from late spring to early summer. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive tomentose narrow leaves remain grayish green in color with distinctive dark green veins throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Italian Jerusalem Sage is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cut back to the ground in late winter before active growth resumes. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Italian Jerusalem Sage is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Italian Jerusalem Sage will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America.