SALVIA LYRATA `PURPLE KNOCKOUT`

Full sun loving and moist soil tolerant, this aromatic plant is a relatively unknown but strong performer that brings a boatload of hungry butterflies and birds to the American Beauties garden. Deep green leaves emerge in spring to form a basal clump of foliage with a distinctively sharp sage smell. Stems emerge through the foliage and rise above loaded with buds that open in late May to whorls of 1″ long purple flowers that form a colorful spike above the plant well into late June. Butterflies enjoy its nectar while goldfinches find the seed from spent flowers an absolute summer delight. Plant this in full sun and in groups to compound its landscape power and the amount of critters it attracts.