General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Partial or Dappled Shade
Partial Shade to Full Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Dry Mesic
Dry
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 6a -23.3 °C (-10 °F) to -20.6 °C (-5 °F)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 9b
Plant Height: 18 inches
Plant Spread: 12 inches
Leaves: Unusual foliage color
Evergreen
Other: Plum colored - at all times.
Flowers: Other: Small and rather inconspicuous
Flower Color: White
Bloom Size: Under 1"
Flower Time: Late spring or early summer
Suitable Locations: Xeriscapic
Uses: Groundcover
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Butterflies
Hummingbirds
Resistances: Deer Resistant
Rabbit Resistant
Tolerates dry shade
Drought tolerant
Propagation: Seeds: Other info: Will sometimes self seed and come true
Pollinators: Bees

Image
Common names
  • Lyreleaf Sage
  • Cancer Weed
  • Salvia
Also sold as:
  • Burgundy Bliss

Photo Gallery
Location: New York Botanical Gardens Bronx NY
Date: 2023-10-28
Full shade
Location: Garland, TX
Date: 2018-03-11
Uploaded by HamiltonSquare
Location: Garland (Dallas), TX
Date: 2015-03-31

Date: 2020-06-04
Location: Potomac MD
Date: 2019-06-01

Photo courtesy of Santa Rosa Gardens

Date: 2011-06-24
Location: Tennessee
courtesy Sunlight Gardens, www.sunlightgardens.com
This plant is tagged in:
Image

Comments:
  • Posted by lauribob (N Central Wash. - the dry side - Zone 5b) on Oct 22, 2018 11:04 AM concerning plant:
    Grown more for the foliage than the bloom, this plant is native to eastern USA. Listed as hardy to zone 6, it might be hardy to zone 5 if sited carefully. It likes a little afternoon shade in warmer areas.
  • Posted by sheryl (Hot, hot, hot, Feenix, AZ - Zone 9b) on Dec 6, 2011 8:05 PM concerning plant:
    I have had this plant in a partial shade with direct sun area and it has thrived, but not spread or self-seeded like the species S. lyrata. It grows in my awful clay soil, hasn't needed any supplemental water despite our high 90's heat and drought the past two summers.

    The purple leaves are very pretty and nearly prostrate to the ground. Although it does bloom, I grow it mostly for the leaf color. A very easy plant here in Middle Tennessee.
  • Posted by SongofJoy (Clarksville, TN - Zone 6b) on Jan 15, 2012 7:54 AM concerning plant:
    'Purple Knockout' has wide, decorative, deep burgundy leaves. It is low growing, evergreen, and pretty fast growing making it a good plant for planting along pathways. Although its flowers are inconspicuous, its burgundy leaves are handsome. It needs full sun to mostly shade and dry to good soil.
  • Posted by GenXNEGeorgia (Lake Lanier, GA (Heat Zone 7) - Zone 7b) on May 11, 2019 11:15 AM concerning plant:
    I planted two of the Salvia Purple Knockouts in 2017 -- this year they have large scapes with blooms and have multiplied a good deal. I am happy with this because I have another large area to cover and I can easily transplant them to different spots as it fills in.

    One thing I've noticed is that the foliage is no longer as dark or purple as it once was. The underside of the leaves, however, is quite purple. I read the information on the plant's page and it indicated Purple Knockout is often self seeding but not always true to seed. I'll report back after I move them to an area with less direct sun and see if the leaves change.

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