Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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sage plant with purple flowers

Searching for a sage plant with purple flowers? You're in the right place! Whether you're looking to brighten up your garden with vibrant colour, attract pollinators, or add drought-tolerant perennials, purple-flowered sages are a stunning and practical choice for New Zealand landscapes. Known for their aromatic foliage and impressive bursts of purple blooms, these plants offer both ornamental beauty and reliable performance. Read on to discover popular varieties, tips for growing sage with purple flowers, and how to use them in your garden.

Dodonaea viscosa purpurea shrub with colourful, purple foliage growing an an informal hedge.

Dodonaea viscosa purpurea (Purple Hop Bush)

Dodonaea viscosa purpurea, commonly known as Purple Ake Ake, features lush, purple leaves which are held densely off upright stems. The foliage is adorned with masses of small, pink flowers in summer as it grows to 4 m tall and 2.5 m wide.

Buy Dodonaea viscosa purpurea (Purple Hop Bush)

From $99.95

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 4.00 m

Spread: 2.50 m

Flowering time: Summer

Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Shade, Wet, Wind

Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Ponds, Pool areas, Screening

Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Riparian

Bougainvillea 'Krishna'

4.7

Bougainvillea 'Krishna' is a dwarf variety that grows compactly with few thorns, yet produces impressive flowers. Throughout the summer, it bears impressive, light purple flowers, and these are complemented by lush, green foliage. This evergreen typically grows to 1.5 m tall with a support structure.

Buy Bougainvillea 'Krishna'

From $30.29

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Climbers

Height: 1.50 m

Spread: 1.50 m

Flowering time: Summer

Tolerances: Coastal

Garden uses: Arches, Containers, Living areas, Pool areas

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical

Top Varieties of Sage Plant with Purple Flowers

When thinking of a sage plant with purple flowers, the resilient and hardy Salvias immediately come to mind. These perennials thrive in various New Zealand conditions, providing long-lasting displays from mid-spring through autumn.

Salvia Santa Barbara (Mexican Sage)

One of the most sought-after varieties, Salvia Santa Barbara (Mexican Sage), boasts velvety purple flower spikes above silvery-green foliage. This variety is a favourite for attracting bees, butterflies, and native birds to New Zealand gardens. Its drought tolerance makes it ideal for low-maintenance borders or sunny slopes.

Salvia Purple (Purple Sage)

Another popular sage plant with purple flowers is Salvia Purple (Purple Sage), which delivers a profusion of deep purple blossoms. The aromatic, grey-green leaves add a culinary and sensory experience to pathways, cottage gardens, and herb beds, while the flowers provide months of colour.

How to Grow Sage with Purple Flowers

Growing a sage plant with purple flowers is simple and rewarding. Sages prefer a sunny position with well-draining soil and are remarkably drought-hardy once established. Water well after planting and during dry spells, but avoid waterlogged positions. Regular deadheading promotes continuous flowering, and a light prune in late winter keeps plants bushy and healthy.

Mulching around the base helps suppress weeds and retain moisture. While generally pest-resistant, keep an eye out for slugs on young plants. Most purple-flowered sages are hardy in a range of New Zealand climates, tolerating light frosts and exposed sites.

Landscaping Ideas Using Purple Sage

A sage plant with purple flowers makes a fantastic feature in mixed perennial borders or Mediterranean gardens. For vibrant contrast, pair with silvery foliage, ornamental grasses, or yellow and white-flowering plants. Mass-plant for a spectacular sweep of purple right through the warmer months. Their upright spikes also work well as a backdrop in herb or pollinator gardens.

If you're looking to expand beyond sage, consider complements such as Dodonaea viscosa purpurea (Purple Hop Bush), which adds dramatic bronze-purple foliage, or Leptinella pusilla (Purple Brass Buttons) for a low-growing, textural groundcover.

For indoor interest, the tropical Anthurium Zizou Purple' brings lush purple to your living spaces, echoing the tones of your outdoor sages.

Why Choose a Sage Plant with Purple Flowers?

Selecting a sage plant with purple flowers means choosing a plant that is both beautiful and practical. These undemanding perennials require minimal water, attract beneficial wildlife, and provide months of flowers. Their striking purple blooms are a timeless favourite in both formal and wild gardens, and they're just as suited to pots as they are to open ground.

Explore our range of perennial sages including Salvia Santa Barbara (Mexican Sage) and Salvia Purple (Purple Sage) to fill your garden with enduring colour and effortless style.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

sage plant with purple flowers

Dodonaea viscosa purpurea (Purple Hop Bush)

Bougainvillea 'Krishna'

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