Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Today's Favorite Plant - Lepechinia hastata (Pitcher Sage)

Today's favorite plant is easy to grow, heat/drought tolerant and putting on a stunning display in the dog days of summer.

The hummingbirds also love it, so that alone makes it worth planting in my book.

Lepechinia hastata is a Salvia relative that is native to Hawaii and has lovely silver colored, arrow shaped leaves, that have a minty aroma. It gets about 4 feet tall and wide.

Like most Salvias - it likes good drainage and prefers full sun.





Lepechinia hastata (Pitcher Sage) — With a big-leaf tropical look that belies its rugged hardiness, this Hawaiian native belongs to the Mint family and masquerades as a Salvia. Stiff, upright and fuzzy, the mauve-infused stems inject architectural pizzazz, while hosting large, spade-shaped felted greenery. Smoky magenta-colored, openly arranged flower spires, some 12” tall, grace the spice-scented foundation. Known to possess antibiotic properties, it delivers late season fanfare, acquiesces to dry poor soil and temperatures as low as 0°F, asking only for a well-drained abode. Zone 7 






6 comments:

  1. I just planted 5 salvias today. They were rescued off the wilty racks at various box stores, and are now convalescing in their new homes. Doubt they will ever reach the grand stature of the Pitcher variety, though...

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    1. I found some too in the 50% off area of Portland Nursery and couldn't help myself. But I love any Salvia.

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  2. Wow, a Hawaiian native that's hardy here. This is a new plant to me and it looks gorgeous! Thanks for the great introduction!

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    1. I was a little worried it wasn't going to make, it but it has sailed through that past 2 winters and is quite stunning this year.

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  3. Hi, My plants just arrived from Annies Annuals in California. I love the leaves on this one, as you say, they look tropical. So, now I know it's a Hawaiian native. Interesting. Anyway, I hope my baby plant grows up and thrives like yours. P.S. found your blog by google searching images for this plant.

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  4. Hi Micahel,
    This is a little unrelated. I came here as a result of researching the pitcher sage i just obtained but then saw the beautiful japanese iris on your site. I have this iris and ghave loved it for years. Unfortunately it was not identified when i purchased it. Any chance you have a cultivar name. Thanks Jamie Lexington Ky

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