Salvia lyrata

Salvia lyrata, commonly called cancer weed, is an adaptable ground cover or perennial flower that can be mowed and has attractive foliage and blooms. It features whorls of two-lipped, lavender-blue flowers in upright, interrupted spikes, which typically rise above the foliage to 1-2' tall. Flowers bloom in mid to late spring—irregularly lobed, basal leaves with smaller and sparser stem leaves. Also commonly called lyre-leaved sage, it is a mint family member that is attractive to bees and butterflies.

Salvia's genus comes from the Latin word salveo, meaning "to save or heal," which refers to the purported medically curative properties of some plants in the genus.

It is quickly grown in average, medium to wet soils in full sun. It prefers moist, sandy, or clay soils and tolerates very light shade but is best in full sun. It also takes heat and humidity. In optimum growing conditions, it self-seeds and naturalizes.

Bonap Map

Height: 1’-2'
Spread: .75’-1'
Bloom:  April-June
Light: Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade
Water: Medium to High
Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8
Origin: Eastern & Central U.S.