Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Autumn Sage - Ultra Violet
Autumn Sage Ultra Violet is a compact sage that covers itself in bright purple flowers from late spring through October. It grows into a mound about 2 feet tall and wide, with dark green, aromatic leaves. Bees visit the flowers, and rabbits and deer tend to leave it alone. It fits beds, borders, edging and patio pots in full sun.
Best for: low borders and edging, massed beds of purple color, patio pots, and rabbit-prone yards in full sun.
Set plants about 2 to 3 feet apart along a walk or bed edge. Each grows into a mound about 2 feet tall and wide, so the row fills in fast.
It stays small and does well in containers on a patio. Use a mix that drains, and water it regularly in summer.
The dark green leaves are aromatic, and rabbits and deer tend to leave it alone. Bees still come for the purple flowers from late spring through October.
In the low desert it looks stressed without regular summer water. It needs soil that drains, and left unpruned it can get woody and sprawl.
- Border or mass planting2 ft apart, center to center
- Looser bed3 ft apart, center to center
Water a new plant every few days at first, then stretch it to every 10 to 14 days by the second month. In the low desert keep up regular water through summer, and water less in winter.
Cut it back by about half in late winter or early spring. Trim spent flower stems during the season, and give it a light trim in mid summer for more fall flowers.
Plant it where water does not stand after a soak. It takes sand, loam or clay if the soil drains.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
How big does Ultra Violet autumn sage get?
It grows about 1 to 3 feet tall and wide, usually close to 2 feet. It grows fast, so it fills its spot in a season.
How far apart should I plant Ultra Violet sage?
Plant it about 2 to 3 feet apart for a border or mass planting. The Spacing tab on this page counts plants for your bed.
When does Ultra Violet sage bloom?
It blooms from late spring through October with bright purple flowers. A light trim of spent flower stems keeps new flowers coming.
How much water does Ultra Violet sage need?
It is water-efficient, but in the low desert it does best with regular water through the summer. Water less often in winter.
Does Ultra Violet sage need full sun?
It does best in full sun and also grows in part shade. Plant it where it gets most of the day's sun for the most flowers.
How do I prune Ultra Violet autumn sage?
Cut it back by about half in late winter or early spring, before new growth. Trim spent flower stems through the season, and a light trim in mid summer helps it bloom into fall.
How cold hardy is Ultra Violet sage?
It is rated to about -10°F, which is far colder than a Valley winter gets.
Do rabbits eat Ultra Violet sage?
Rabbits and deer tend to leave it alone because of its aromatic leaves. Bees still visit the flowers.
How is Ultra Violet different from other autumn sages?
It is a cross between autumn sage and a blue-flowered sage, which gives it purple flowers. Red, pink and hot pink autumn sages are straight autumn sage colors.
What soil does Ultra Violet sage need?
It grows in sand, loam or clay as long as the soil drains. Soggy soil is the main thing to avoid.
Autumn Sage - Ultra Violet for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Ultra Violet is a purple autumn sage, a cross between autumn sage and a blue-flowered sage. It stays compact, flowers for months and takes cold far below a Valley winter. Below is what to expect, from spacing and summer water to pruning and how it compares with other autumn sages.
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Ultra Violet autumn sage in Phoenix
Ultra Violet is a compact purple sage for full sun. In the low desert it does best with regular summer water and soil that drains.
How far apart to plant Ultra Violet sage
Space plants about 2 to 3 feet apart. Each grows into a mound about 2 feet tall and wide.
When does Ultra Violet sage bloom?
It flowers from late spring through October. Trimming spent flower stems and a light mid-summer trim keep it blooming.
Ultra Violet vs red autumn sage
Ultra Violet is a cross between autumn sage and a blue-flowered sage, so its flowers are purple. Red autumn sage is a straight autumn sage.
Pruning autumn sage
Cut autumn sage back by about half in late winter or early spring. A light trim in mid summer sets up a strong fall bloom.
Is Ultra Violet sage rabbit resistant?
Yes, rabbits and deer tend to leave it alone because of its aromatic leaves.
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