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Salvia lanigera

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Salvia lanigera

(Wooly Arabian Sage) "Radiant" is the word that garden writer and Salvia specialist Betsy Clebsch uses to describe the halo of white hairs covering the foliage and calyxes of Salvia lanigera.

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. Wooly Arabian 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. 7 - 9
Size (h/w/fh) The anticipated mature size of the plant: Height, Width & Flower Height. 12"/12"/12"
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
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. Average
Container plant? "Yes" indicates that this plant can be successfully grown as a container plant. Yes
Hummingbird plant? Hummingbirds have been observed regularly feeding from this plant's flowers. Yes
Mature height The mature height of this plant in average conditions. 1 foot or less
Mature spread The mature width of this plant in average conditions. 1 foot or less
Degree of Difficulty
Easy
Degree of Difficulty
This plant is easy to grow in a variety of conditions.
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(Wooly Arabian Sage) "Radiant" is the word that garden writer and Salvia specialist Betsy Clebsch uses to describe the halo of white hairs covering the foliage and calyxes of Salvia lanigera.

Tiny, deep purple flowers contrast dramatically with gray-green, deeply lobed leaves and the plant's overall silvery look. The fuzzy hairs help conserve moisture in low-water environments. The plant's essential oils, which make it pleasantly aromatic, are currently the focus of medical research on antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

Wooly Arabian Sage is native to desert and coastal areas throughout the Middle East including Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Israel and Turkey. French clergyman Jean-Louis Marie Poiret (1755-1834), a botanist and plant explorer for France's King Louis XVI, described the sage in 1817. However, this is a rare plant in commercial horticulture.

Wooly Arabian Sage is an herbaceous perennial in areas with warm winters. Yet it returns even when grown as an annual, because it reseeds freely. In its native lands, Wooly Arabian Sage can reach up to a foot tall with branches that curve upward like a candelabra. However, it's often more petite elsewhere and works well tucked between other, taller plants.