Moana Nursery High Desert Plant Finder & Guide
annual

Gleneden Sage

Salvia microphylla 'Gleneden'

Add To My Wish List

 
Gleneden Sage (Salvia microphylla 'Gleneden') at Moana Nursery

Gleneden Sage flowers

Gleneden Sage flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  18 inches

Spacing:  30 inches

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  (annual)

Other Names:  Baby Sage, Graham's Sage, Blackcurrant Sage

Description:

Elegant, lavender-blue blooms are borne above the fine green foliage; flowers over a long season; drought and heat tolerant, does well under various light conditions

Ornamental Features

Gleneden Sage has masses of beautiful fragrant lavender flowers with sky blue overtones at the ends of the stems from mid spring to mid fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its small pointy leaves remain green in color throughout the year.

Landscape Attributes

Gleneden Sage is an herbaceous annual with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should only be pruned after flowering to avoid removing any of the current season's flowers. It is a good choice for attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Gleneden Sage is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • Border Edging
  • General Garden Use
  • Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Gleneden Sage will grow to be about 16 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 30 inches apart. Although it's not a true annual, this plant can be expected to behave as an annual in our climate if left outdoors over the winter, usually needing replacement the following year. As such, gardeners should take into consideration that it will perform differently than it would in its native habitat.

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Gleneden Sage is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Massing  Edging  Garden  Container 
Applications
Flowers  Attracts Wildlife 
Ornamental Features