Is Purple Sage an Annual or Perennial?

Propagation

• Purple sage is initially propagated from either seeds or softwood cuttings, and is commercially available for home gardeners. If growing purple sage indoors, you should plant from seed, whereas cuttings are more suited to outdoor planting. In either method, planting should start in the spring. You can take cuttings of established sage at any time. For high quality specimens, the National Gardening Association recommends using cuttings from an established sage, and spacing 24 to 30 inches apart.

Growth Cycle

• The active growth period for purple sage occurs in the spring and summer. The rate of growth is moderate, with mature plants rising to 2 1/2 feet. As a perennial plant, the growth appears each year, but gardeners should replant with new cuttings every four to five years, as the quality of the plant declines.

Bloom Period

• The purple sage is known for its flowers, which bloom lavender, blue and violet in the late spring, specifically May and June.The bilateral, symmetrical flowers appear on short spikes that form clusters, and are surrounded by silver-colored foliage.

Pruning and Harvesting

• Once the sage begins to flower, Fine Gardening suggests light pruning. As the spring sage continues to grow, you should also prune back any of the heavier woody stems for optimal growth. Harvest purple sage minimally in the first year to ensure proper establishment. In later years, harvest two to three times a year, as long as you leave a few stalks behind for next year's growth.

Maintenance

• The natural habitat for purple sage is dry, open scabland or brush, so the plant thrives in the southwestern and western states of the U.S., particularly California, Arizona, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Utah and Nevada, and only in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9. Purple sage requires light sun, dry soil and medium hydration for established plants, while younger plants need more regular watering until mature. The soil should be dry and well-drained, with a pH balance of 6.5 to 8.