Grow Native! Plant Indentification

Blue sage (pitcher sage)

Name: Blue sage (pitcher sage) (Salvia azurea)
Distinguishing Characteristics: Stems square with short, dense hairs; leaves opposite, short-stalked, up to 4 inches long and 1 inch wide, hairy, with a few teeth along the margins.
Height: 3 to 5 feet
Blooms: July-October
Description: Plants form many upright, branching stems from the base. The blue flowers with white centers are held in densely packed whorls at stem ends, above dark green, linear foliage
Comments: Found in southwestern Missouri on prairies and glades. It does well on drier sites. It?s a common component of many native wildflower mixes, as this species is easy to establish and may bloom the first year from seed. It dies out in eastern Missouri, unless on a very dry site. Conspicuous blue flowers are a favorite of bees.

Blue sage (pitcher sage) Details (Click on the photo to see a larger image)
Seeds (scale is in 1/16 inch increments)	Seedling	Juvenile	Distinguishing Characteristic	Mature Plant

Photographs by Don Kurz