Salvia lyrata - lyreleaf sage

Height: leaves are nearly flat, 1’ to 2’ flower stalk
Spread: to 1'
Light Needs: full sun to part sun
Water: average to moist
Flower color: purple, occasionally white
Bloom time: April to June

This wildflower develops as a flat rosette of evergreen leaves that are green to purplish in color. An upright flower stalk, sometimes branching, bears tubular flowers in spring. This is an easy plant to grow and looks great in a colony and as a groundcover. It is likely to produce volunteer seedlings and can spread rapidly in a sunny, moist site. Because of its spread by seeds, this plant may be best suited to an informal garden or a natural area. The leaves are resistant to mowing and moderate foot traffic. Caterpillars of hermit sphinx moths and a few other moth species are known to feed on this plant. The flowers are attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and other insect pollinators. Seeds are eaten by birds. Deer tend to ignore the low foliage but they will nibble on the developing flower stalks.