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Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Salvia engelmannii (Engelmann's sage)
Smith, R.W.

Salvia engelmannii

Salvia engelmannii A. Gray

Engelmann's Sage, Engelmann's Salvia

Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: saen2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Engelmanns Sage is a 1-1 1/2 ft compact mound of velvety, narrow leaves and showy flower spikes. Pale lavender to pale blue, tubular flowers occur on 4-6 in. spikes.

The species of this plant is named for George Engelmann (1809-1884) who was born in Germany and settled in St. Louis, Missouri, as a young man. He was a physician and botanist, describing especially North American Abies (Firs), Agaves, Cactus (for which he described more than 108 species), Cuscuta (Dodder), Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family), Juncus (Rushes), Juniperus (“Cedar”), Pinus (Pines), Vitis (Grapes), and Yuccas. When he died much of his collection went to Missouri Botanical Garden.

 

From the Image Gallery

21 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Notes: Up to about 18 inches tall.
Fruit: Nutlets.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Apr , May

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Distribution: C. TX
Native Habitat: Endemic to the limestone hills of c. TX

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil Description: Dry, rocky soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Caliche type, Limestone-based
Conditions Comments: Engelmann's sage is similar to Texas sage, but has pale-blue flowers, a shorter bloom period, and grows to a slightly larger size. When evidence of new growth emerges at the plant's base, cut back old stems. Provide good drainage.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Perennial garden, Rock gardens, Shortgrass meadow
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies , Hummingbirds
Deer Resistant: High

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Propagate by divisions, rooted sections, or seeds.
Seed Collection: Collect the seeds as the capsules begin to dry but before they have dropped the seeds. Spread seeds in thin layers to dry a few days before storing in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Seed Treatment: Generally, a cold-moist stratification period is required for germination of Salvia seed.
Commercially Avail: yes

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Deer resistant, sun tolerant plants for landscaping
April 19, 2007
I live in Driftwood and am looking for flowering, deer-resistant plants for the northern side of my house; however the house turn just enough to the west that the flowerbed receives about 3 hours of a...
view the full question and answer

Native plants for dry shade in Austin
March 27, 2007
I live in North Austin, and I'd like to find plants that would work in dry shade. This area does receive a couple of hours of morning sun, and I've had great luck with Hinckley's Columbine. Any o...
view the full question and answer

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0510 Collected Apr 11, 1992 in Kendall County by Lottie Millsaps

1 specimen(s) available in the Digital Herbarium

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-211 Collected 2008-07-17 in Hays County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

1 collection(s) available in the Wildflower Center Seed Bank

Bibliography

Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 281 - Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Salvia engelmannii in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Salvia engelmannii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Salvia engelmannii

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-04-07
Research By: TWC Staff

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