Forsythia sage is a perennial subshrub in the mint family (Lamiaceae) native to western Mexico. Its species epithet is derived from its native locale, the Sierra Madre Occidental of Mexico. Forsythia sage grows well in full sun; however, some afternoon shade in extreme heat would be appreciated. If grown in an area receiving shade for a majority of the day, it will tend to have fewer blooms and its form may become lankier. Forsythia sage takes average soil with average moisture. Forsythia sage has a long season of bloom: from autumn through spring. The inflorescences have indeterminate growth can can produce flowers for months. Forsythia sage spreads from underground rhizomes, and prostrate stems may root at the nodes. It may be necessary to remove shoots to control its spread. Forsythia sage is a tropical plant that can be grown outside in subtropical gardens, where its flowers will attract hummingbirds. In North Carolina, it is not reliably hardy. It must be grown in large containers and brought into shelter during the winter months. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues or concerns. More information on Salvia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheAgastache 'Astello Indigo'Echinacea purpurea PowWow® Wild Berry 'PAS702917'Verbena bonariensis
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial; Perennial
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
3 feet-6 feet; 6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Spreading
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Cordate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Velvety
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Gray-green heart shaped leaves.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Spike
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The whorls of flowers lay along 12 to 18-inch spikes. The yellow flowers, which have a sticky feel, are unusual for a salvia. The calyces are the same color as the flower.
Bloom time
Fall; Winter
Fruit color
Black
Fruit type
Schizocarp
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Schizocarp has 4 lobes. They separate to form single-seeded nutlets.
Stem color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Thick, rigid stems with four prominent flanges or ridges.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Northwestern Mexico
Wildlife value
Hummingbirds, bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Hummingbirds
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Attracts Pollinators; Colorful; Easy to Grow