How to Trim a Purple Sage

Purple sage (Salvia leucophylla) is an evergreen plant that typically grows 3 to 6 feet tall, though some individual specimens have been known to reach 12 feet tall and 12 feet wide. Purple sage shrubs have aromatic gray-green vegetation, an attractive, airy form and fragrant lavender-pink blooms. They thrive in full sun but need no water once established, which makes them ideal for drought-tolerant landscaping. Plants also tolerate freezing temperatures. This distant relative of culinary sage is best pruned minimally, to support general plant health and encourage optimal flowering in the landscape.

Things You'll Need

Bypass-type hand pruners

Instructions

- 1
  Prune purple sage only with a purpose, because any unnecessary trimming will only diminish the amount of attractive, fragrant flowers.
- 2
  Make major pruning cuts only when purple sage is dormant, near the end of the winter when the coldest temperatures have passed.
- 3
  Assess the shrub and its condition thoroughly before making any additional pruning cuts. First cut off dead, diseased or otherwise damaged branches and stems.
- 4
  Stand back to study the plant’s symmetry and general proportions, walking all the way around if necessary. Make your next cuts to enhance overall balance.
- 5
  Trim lightly to remove dead branches and stems -- or to make corrective cuts you may have missed earlier -- at any time during the year.
- 6
  Deadhead spent purple sage flowers for a neater look if desired, but this isn’t absolutely necessary because dried flowers look fine too -- and leaving them gives seeds a chance to develop and disperse.

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