Steppe sage ∗ The 10 best care tips and varieties

Origin and Distribution

In contrast to the common sage (bot. Salvia officinalis) is also known as ornamental sage or Blossom sage called steppe sage (bot. Salvia nemorosa) is a purely ornamental plant. The pretty, rather low perennial blooms beautifully and smells very intense, but is not edible and cannot be used as a medicinal plant. On the other hand, however, it inspires with a long-lasting flower flora and is an important food plant for bees and butterflies due to its abundance of nectar.

The steppe sage is widespread between Russia and Europe, where it mainly grows on dry land Meadows, along roadsides and - as the name suggests - in the wide steppe landscapes Home is. The plant can also be found in higher mountain regions.

use

The steppe sage comes into its own as a gap filler or foreground planting in sunny borders. The plant, which often forms wide cushions, feels particularly at home in stone or prairie gardens, where it can be combined very well with other herbs and perennials as well as with ornamental grasses. Furthermore, the ornamental sage is the perfect companion to roses, especially since the flowering times of the two species coincide.

Appearance and stature

From a botanical point of view, the steppe sage belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae). Together with around 900 other species that are distributed almost all over the world, it also forms the extremely species-rich genus of sage (bot. Salvia). The growth of the steppe sage is compact and comparatively low with a height of - depending on the variety - between 20 and 60 centimeters. The plants grow clumpy to bushy, with some varieties being able to form dense cushions. The perennial, hardy perennial, also with us, has a down-to-earth rosette from which the shoots and leaves, which are covered with numerous, short hairs, grow upright.

leaves

The attractive green leaves of the ornamental sage are up to 18 centimeters long and have a lanceolate shape. Its edge shows a slight perforation, the leaf blade is wrinkled to coarse.

Flowering and flowering period

Most sorts of steppe sage show their attractive blossoms between June and July, which lasts for an average of eight weeks. Some varieties of the not without reason, so-called blossom sage, start the flowering season from mid to late May. If you cut back the dead shoots, the ornamental sage will develop a second flower by September, the strength of which differs between the individual varieties. The tiny and mostly very dense individual flowers are arranged in slender, spike-shaped flower candles that rise upright. The color palette of the inflorescences ranges from white to various shades of pink to light or dark shades of purple and blue.

fruit

If the faded inflorescences are not cut off, inconspicuous, small nuts develop. These contain the tiny seeds of the steppe sage, which open automatically after ripening. The perennial has a strong tendency to self-sow, but the fruits and seeds can also be collected and used for targeted breeding.

Toxicity

Of the Steppe sage is not toxic, but cannot be used in the kitchen or in the medicine cabinet. For this purpose, you'd better grow the aromatic real sage.

Location and soil

The ornamental sage feels most comfortable in a sunny and dry location with a well-drained soil. Ideally, place the perennial in a moderately nutrient-rich to sandy, calcareous and loose soil with a pH value between 6 and 8. It is only important that rain and irrigation water can drain off quickly and not build up, as the steppe sage does not like wet feet at all.

Plant steppe sage properly

Basically, the steppe sage, which is mostly sold as bales or container goods, can be planted during the entire growing season. If you plant the perennials in spring, they will bloom in the same year, but specimens planted later will not show their bloom until the following year. Before planting, put plenty of well-rotted manure or compost under and in the planting bed ensure good drainage in loamy soils, for example by loosening the soil Sand. The ideal planting distance between individual plants is also for a group or extensive planting about half of the expected final height. Steppe sage, which can grow up to 60 centimeters high, should therefore be placed in the bed at a distance of about 30 centimeters.

Pour steppe sage

You only need to water the steppe sage during longer dry periods during the summer months, otherwise additional watering is not necessary.

Fertilize the steppe sage properly

Even fertilize you only need the perennial if it grows in poor, sandy soils. In this case, give her a starter fertilizer in the spring, for example using compost or a universal fertilizer. A second fertilization is also useful after the summer pruning to encourage the plants to flower again.

Cut the steppe sage properly

Cut the steppe sage back about a third immediately after it has withered and then give him a mineral universal fertilizer and an extra slosh the watering can. After a few weeks, the perennial blooms a second time, albeit not as strongly as during the spring bloom. The second pruning should be done in spring, if possible, as the dried up shoots should remain on the plant as winter protection.

Propagate steppe sage

It makes sense to divide the steppe sage every three years. This measure not only serves to multiply the plant, but also maintains its flowering ability and health. Otherwise, older specimens tend to age and develop significantly fewer flowers as a result. If possible, do the division in spring. Carefully dig up the plants and watch out for the most common root runners, which you simply have to cut off and plant separately.

If you don't want to wait so long to multiply, you can get around ten to 15 centimeters long in late summer Cut cuttings and put them directly in the bed. If you keep the soil slightly moist, the cuttings will take root within a few weeks. Furthermore, it is also possible to multiply using seeds that you have collected yourself or bought, and you can use the seeds from the end Sow in a seed container on the windowsill in February and bring the young plants in good time before spring can. Direct sowing in the bed can be done from the end of April.

Diseases and pests

With regard to diseases and pest infestation, the steppe sage is pleasantly robust and is rarely infested. A too dark and / or moist location and too dense planting can be problematic. The former results in fungal diseases that can destroy the entire population, but if the planting distance is not observed, there is a risk of powdery mildew or an aphid invasion.

Species and varieties

The wild species of ornamental sage hardly plays a role in the garden. However, there is a large range of different cultivars with purple, pink or white flowers. The varieties all form dense clumps, but differ in growth form and height. The varieties presented here are only a small selection from the wide range on offer.

• 'Adrian': numerous white flower spikes between June and September, pronounced autumn second bloom, compact and bushy growth, low growth height between 30 and 40 centimeters
• 'Blauhügel': simple, violet-blue flower spikes between June and September, pronounced second-flowering, densely bushy growth, growth height up to 50 centimeters
• 'Caradonna': simple, dark purple flowers, slender, bushy growth, height of up to 50 centimeters, flowering time between June and September, very abundant secondary flowering
• 'Compact White': numerous white flowers between June and September, autumn second blooms, bushy, very compact growth up to a maximum of 35 centimeters in height
• 'Dear Anja': simple, violet-blue flowers, bushy growth, height of up to 50 centimeters, flowering time between May and June, abundant secondary flowering
• 'Marcus': very dark, deep purple flower spikes between June and September, autumn re-flowering, cushion-forming, low growth between 20 and 30 centimeters in height
• 'Merleau Blue': simple, dark blue flowers, bushy growth, height of up to 50 centimeters, flowering period between May and September, autumn re-flowering
• 'Merleau Rose': simple, pink flowers, clumpy growth, height of up to 50 centimeters, flowering time between June and September, autumn re-flowering
• 'Negrito': simple, deep violet-blue flowers, dark shoots and stems, bushy growth, height of up to 50 centimeters, flowering period between June and September, autumn re-flowering
• 'Ostfriesland Compact': simple, dark blue to purple flowers, flowering time between June and September, second flowering in autumn, clumpy growth, height between 20 and 40 centimeters
• 'Pusztaflamme': simple but very dense purple-purple flowers, flowering time between June and September, autumn post-flowering, clumpy growth, height between 30 and 40 centimeters
• 'Pink Queen': simple, pink flowers, flowering time between June and September, autumn re-flowering, bushy growth, height between 30 and 40 centimeters
• 'Rügen': simple, violet-blue flowers, flowering time between June and September, autumn re-flowering, bushy growth, height between 30 and 40 centimeters,
• 'Threshold castle': densely growing, intensely purple inflorescences, flowering time between June and September, second flowering in autumn, clumpy growth, growth height up to 50 centimeters
• 'Sensation Deep Rose': numerous purple-pink flower spikes between June and September, autumn re-blooming, pillow-like, very compact growth up to a maximum of 30 centimeters in height
• 'Sensation White': simple, white flowers between June and September, autumn second flowering, bushy growth, low growth up to a maximum of 30 centimeters in height
• 'Dancer': simple, red-violet flowers between June and September, autumn second bloom, clumpy, loose growth, growth height up to 60 centimeters
• 'Viola Klose': simple, deep purple flower spikes between May and September, strong second-flowering in autumn, clumpy growth, growth height up to 40 centimeters
• 'Wesuwe': simple, dark purple flower spikes, dark shoots and stems, bushy, strong growth, Height between 50 and 60 centimeters, flowering period between June and September, pronounced autumnal Post-bloom