Germander sage facts for kids
Salvia chamaedryoides, also known as germander sage, is a beautiful plant that stays green all year round. It grows naturally in the high desert areas of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains in Mexico. These areas are quite high up, between 2,100 and 2,800 meters (about 6,900 to 9,200 feet) above sea level.
This plant gets its name because its roots spread out underground, similar to another plant called Teucrium chamaedrys, or wall germander. Germander sage can grow up to 60 centimeters (about 2 feet) tall when it's flowering. It has small, grey-green leaves that stay on the plant even in winter.
Its flowers are a lovely blue color and pop up throughout the growing season. You'll see the most flowers in early summer and again in the autumn. People in Europe have been growing this plant in their gardens since the early 1800s. It only became popular in the United States in the 1980s.
Quick facts for kids Germander sage |
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What is Germander Sage?
Germander sage is a type of plant called an evergreen perennial. This means it's a plant that lives for more than two years and keeps its leaves all year long, even in cold weather. It doesn't die back to the ground each winter like some other plants.
Where Does it Grow?
This plant loves dry, sunny places. Its natural home is in the high desert regions of Mexico's Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range. The air there is thin, and the ground can be rocky, but germander sage thrives in these conditions.
How Does it Look?
Germander sage grows into a small, bushy plant. Its leaves are a soft, grey-green color, which helps it reflect sunlight and save water in its dry habitat. When it blooms, you'll see bright blue flowers that add a splash of color to its silvery leaves. These flowers are quite small but appear in groups, making them noticeable.
Growing Germander Sage
Germander sage is a popular plant for gardens because it's easy to care for and looks good all year.
What it Needs
- Sunlight: It needs lots of sunshine, at least six hours a day.
- Soil: It likes soil that drains water very well. It doesn't like to sit in wet soil.
- Water: Once it's settled in, it doesn't need much water. It's very good at living in dry conditions.
When it Blooms
The blue flowers of germander sage appear off and on throughout the warmer months. You'll usually see a big burst of flowers in early summer and then another one in the fall. This makes it a great plant for adding color to your garden for a long time.
History of Germander Sage
People have been growing germander sage in gardens for a long time. It first became popular in Europe in the early 1800s. Gardeners liked it because it was tough, beautiful, and easy to grow. It took a bit longer for it to become well-known in the United States, only arriving there in the 1980s.
Images for kids
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A close-up of germander sage flowers.
See also
In Spanish: Salvia chamaedryoides para niños
