Salvia lyrata 'Purple Knockout'
Purple Knockout lyre-leaf sage
Grown mainly for the foliage, Salvia lyrata Purple Knockout has compact basal rosettes of shiny burgundy leaves that turn to deep purple in summer and then to red in the fall. Spikes of pale lilac blue flowers appear in spring and summer, but sometimes the flowers have only calyces and no petals. We have not been able to determine the cause of this, but a cut back of the stems promotes new blooms and often they will have petals the second time around. Petals or no, the flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies. Very easy to grow in just about any soil, it will self sow to spread and become a dense groundcover that makes a great native substitute for Ajuga. Native from New York, to Texas to Florida.
Height18 Inches |
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Spread12 Inches |
Bloom Color
Light BlueUSDA Hardiness Zone 6-9
Interesting Notes
The young leaves have a mild minty flavor and may be used in salads or cooked as a potherb. The entire plant (harvested and dried as the flowers begin to bloom in the spring), or just the seeds, can be brewed as a tea, which, sweetened with honey, makes a soothing bedtime beverage. The seeds can be ground into flour and used in baking bread. The leaves were once thought to be useful as an external "cure" for cancer. They were also considered a remedy for warts and the roots were made into an astringent salve and applied to sores. The tea was used to treat asthma, coughs, and colds and as a gargle for sore throats and mouth infections.Floridata
Growing and Maintenance Tips
S. lyrata is native to the wood's edge, thickets and tall meadows of the eastern US. It prefers average to wet, clay or sandy soils in full sun. Drought and humidity tolerant. Cut back flower stalks if no petals appear and it will rebloom.
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