Lyreleaf Sage (Lyrata)

The Lyreleaf Sage (Lyrata) is generally described as a perennial forb/herb. This is native to the U.S. (United States) .

Uses of : Landscaping, Medicinal, Culinary, etc.

This plant is used mainly for landscape beautification. It has potential for use in cultivated garden situations, in naturalized prairie or meadow plantings, and along roadsides.

General Characteristics

Lyreleaf sage is a perennial herb with quadrangular flowering stems extending upright from a basal rosette of leaves. The basal leaves are elongated, elliptic, dark green to slightly purplish, and are often lobed or dissected. The light blue to violet flowers are clustered at the top of the stem. Flowering occurs from April to May or June. The seeds are round, dark brown, and held loosely in a cup-like structure.

Required Growing Conditions

Lyreleaf sage can grow in full sun and light to medium shade. Native stands are found on roadsides, and in fields and open woodlands. It will grow on many types of soil.

Lyreleaf sage is distributed primarily throughout the East and lower Midwest.

Cultivation and Care

A firm seedbed is required. Seed may be planted into a closely mowed, chemically-killed, or burned sod area with a light disking or harrowing that scratches the soil surface. When seed is sown on a clean-tilled site, cultipacking the soil before planting is recommended. A thick layer of plant residue on the soil surface can interfere with seed germination. Broadcast or shallowly drill 4 to 6 grams of seed per 100 square feet (4 to 6 lb/acre). Planting depth should range from at the soil surface to 1/8 inch deep. Cultipacking after planting is recommended. Seed germination should occur by fall, and the plants will remain as a small, low-growing rosette throughout the winter. Often it takes 2 or 3 years for lyreleaf sage to produce a dense stand on the planting site.

General Upkeep and Control

Apply fertilizer according to soil test recommendations. If not available, a rate of 3.5 to 5.5 oz per 100 square feet (100 to 150 lb/acre) of 13-13-13 should be applied after the seedlings are established and annually thereafter. Because of its low-growing nature, mowing to limit competition from other plants is crucial to maintain a stand of lyreleaf sage. The initial mowing should be delayed until mid to late May (after seed matures). Plants can tolerate regular close mowing during the summer and fall. If allowed to re-grow after the initial mowing, plants often produce additional seed during the summer, but showy flowers will not be produced. However, on sites where competing vegetation provides dense cover, stands should be mowed regularly, because the small amount of additional seed produced during the summer will not justify the detrimental effects on the lyreleaf sage stand. Fall mowing is always recommended.

Pests and Potential Problems This section is under development.

Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) There are no cultivars recommended at this time.