OLYMPUS Gold Leaf Sage
Salvia chrysophylla
OLYMPUS Gold Leaf Sage (Salvia chrysophylla) is a perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 8–12 in tall and 12–18 in wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Compact silver-gold foliage with purple flowers; Turkish mountain sage.
Plant Select®low water8–12 in tall and 12–18 in wideXeric / water-wiseZones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: peganum from Small Dole, England, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 2: "Salvia chrysophylla" by peganum is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
- Photo 3: peganum from Small Dole, England, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 4: "Salvia chrysophylla" by peganum is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
- Photo 5: "Salvia chrysophylla (19886041672)" by peganum from Small Dole, England is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
- Photo 6: "Salvia chrysophylla (19893538705)" by peganum from Small Dole, England is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–9
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- loam, sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 8–12 in tall and 12–18 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~13–18 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- early summer, mid summer
- Bloom color
- purple, yellow
- Bloom length
- 2–3 weeks
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Planting & establishment
Deep water every 1–2 weeks during establishment (first growing season), then water sparingly per Plant Select guidance.
Frequently asked questions
- Is OLYMPUS Gold Leaf Sage good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, OLYMPUS Gold Leaf Sage is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does OLYMPUS Gold Leaf Sage get?
- It matures to about 8–12 in tall and 12–18 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant OLYMPUS Gold Leaf Sage?
- Space OLYMPUS Gold Leaf Sage about 13 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 18 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is OLYMPUS Gold Leaf Sage hardy on the Front Range?
- OLYMPUS Gold Leaf Sage is hardy in USDA 4–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does OLYMPUS Gold Leaf Sage need?
- It needs low water once established.
- Is OLYMPUS Gold Leaf Sage native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is OLYMPUS Gold Leaf Sage deer-resistant?
- OLYMPUS Gold Leaf Sage is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is OLYMPUS Gold Leaf Sage a good firewise plant near the house?
- OLYMPUS Gold Leaf Sage is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does OLYMPUS Gold Leaf Sage bloom?
- OLYMPUS Gold Leaf Sage blooms for about two to three weeks on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
