Virginia ecotype - Henrico County
- Duration: Perennial
- Habit: Low, naturalizing groundcover
- Size: 3" or 1-2 ft. when in flower
- Flowering time: Mar to June, sporadic flowering after
- Bloom color: Light blue to lavender, tubular
- Habitat: Savannas, meadows, stream banks
- Moisture: Dry to moist, well draining
- Light: Full sun to shade; adaptable
- Soils: Prefers sandy soil but adaptable
- Uses: groundcover, lawn alternative, replacement for non-native ajuga, borders, walkways
Salvia lyrata (Lyreleaf sage)
Lyreleaf sage is a highly versatile and low growing groundcover that naturalizes through seeding (it is not rhizomatous), does well in shade, needs little if any care, and can take light foot traffic.
Found naturally occuring in sandy soils of open woods, meadows, clearings, and stream or river banks. Lyreleaf sage is a host plant for several species of moths. Pollinators most often visiting blooms are carpenter, leaf-cutting, and mason bees. Also visited by long-tongued butterflies and the occasional hummingbird. Mourning doves, finches, and small mammals eat the nutlets in summer and autumn.
This small sage’s leaves are semi-evergreen, sometimes with purple veins; the whole leaf may darken in winter and full sun exposure.
Good use as a groundcover, replacement for non-native ajuga, where it will not be too overshadowed by larger, sprawling plants. Tolerates drought, flooding, light food traffic, and mowing!Leave the 1-2 ft. tall flower stalks up after flowering, and the plant will reseed itself well into a nice cover.