You are here    Flowers by the Sea / Salvias A to Z / Salvia aurita ssp. galpinii
Salvia aurita ssp. galpinii
Salvia aurita ssp. galpinii
Salvia aurita ssp. galpinii

How to prune this plant

Salvia aurita ssp. galpinii

(Cut Leaf African Blue Sage) In botanical names, aurita means “ear shaped.” It’s the ear-like lobes of this sage’s leaves that give the species part of its name Salvia aurita ssp. galpinii. The cut leaf foliage is heavily lobed, mint green and lightly hairy.

Common name This is the non-scientific name used for a plant. A plant may have several common names, depending on the gardener's location. To further confuse the matter, a common name may be shared by several completely different plants. At Flowers by the Sea, we rely on the scientific name to identify our plants and avoid confusion. Cut Leaf African Blue Sage
USDA Zones The U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones indicate the temperature zones where a plant is likely to thrive. It is determined by the average annual winter minimum temperature. Actual winter temperatures may be higher or lower than the average. 8 - 11
Size (h/w/fh) The anticipated mature size of the plant: Height, Width & Flower Height. 48"/48"+/48"
Exposure This is the average amount of sunlight that a plant needs to thrive. Generally, full sun exposure is 6 or more hours of direct sun daily while partial shade is less than 4 hours of sun or dappled shade all day. Plants may tolerate more sunlight in cooler climates and need afternoon shade in extremely hot climates. Full sun to partial shade
Soil type This is the kind of soil that a plant needs to thrive. Most plants require a well-drained soil that allows the water to soak into the soil without becoming soggy. Sandy and clay soils can be improved by digging in compost to improve drainage. Well drained
Water needs Plants have specific water requirements. Water loving means the plant needs regular watering to keep the soil moist. Average generally indicates applying 1 inch of water per week, or watering when the soil is dry to a depth of 3 to 4 inches. One inch of water is equal to 5 gallons per square yard of soil surface. Drought resistant
Container plant? "Yes" indicates that this plant can be successfully grown as a container plant. Yes
Mature height The mature height of this plant in average conditions. 3 to 4 feet
Mature spread The mature width of this plant in average conditions. 4 to 5 feet
High Resolution Images
  • Salvia aurita ssp. galpinii
Degree of Difficulty
Easy
Degree of Difficulty
This plant is easy to grow in a variety of conditions.
Blue Tag Xeric
Blue Tag Plant
This plant is sensitive to overwatering and wet soils.
Details
Send to friend
Cultural Icons

(Cut Leaf African Blue Sage) In botanical names, aurita means “ear shaped.” It’s the ear-like lobes of this sage’s leaves that give the species part of its name Salvia aurita ssp. galpinii. The cut leaf foliage is heavily lobed, mint green and lightly hairy.

In botanical names, aurita means “ear shaped.” It’s the ear-like lobes of this sage’s leaves that give the species part of its name Salvia aurita ssp. galpinii. The cut leaf foliage is heavily lobed, mint green and lightly hairy.

The second part of the plant’s name -- “Galpinii -- comes from one of South Africa’s great botanists, Ernest Edward Galpin who was born in 1858. Although he worked long hours and nearly seven days a week as a banker, Galpin spent all his limited free time roaming the South African countryside. Late in life, he bequeathed his collection of 16,000 labeled and classified specimens to his country’s National Herbarium. Among all those plants, Galpin discovered six new genuses.

Short to medium-sized and fragrant, this heat-tolerant sage is endemic to South Africa and Swaziland. Its whorls of double-lipped, white flowers tinged with blue bloom from spring into fall attracting butterflies and honeybees. Deer, however, pass it by.

Tough and heat tolerant, this perennial sage grows wild in a variety of well-drained soils on hillsides, loamy farmlands, the sides of streams, forests and moist valleys. Although drought resistant, Salvia aurita ssp. galpinii enjoys regular watering and especially needs it if being used as a groundcover. Other settings for it include dry gardens and container plantings. It grows quickly in full sun or partial shade from USDA Zone 8 to Zone 11.