Buddleja salviifolia aka Wild Sagewood

Taxonomy

Buddleja salviifolia, commonly known as sage bush or sag, is an endemic plant found in southern and eastern Africa. It thrives in rocky hillsides, along forest margins, and watercourses. This semi-evergreen shrub has an arching habit and can reach up to 3 meters in height. Its leaves are sage-like, finely wrinkled, lance-shaped, and have a grey-green color. During spring or early summer, narrow panicles of small, fragrant pale mauve flowers with orange throats bloom. The species was first described and named by Lamarck in 1792. Sageleaf Butterfly Bush, as it is also called, is a large multi-stemmed shrub or small tree that is valued for its foliage and semi-weeping growth pattern. Pruning should be done immediately after flowering since it blooms on the previous year's wood. In its natural habitat, it can be found in forest margins, rocky hillsides, and along stream banks. Propagation of this plant is easily achieved through softwood stem cuttings.

Common names

Wild Sagewood, Sagewood

How to care for Wild Sagewood

Difficulty

With its straightforward care requirements, Wild Sagewood is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.

Water

Wild Sagewood should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Wild Sagewood loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Wild Sagewood requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Sagewood is always in the right place to thrive.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Fertilizer

The Wild Sagewood is known for its slow growth and doesn't require fertilizing beyond its potting soil. Replacing the soil in its pot once a year should offer it sufficient nutrition. It's essential to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not from fertilizers.


More info:
Wikipedia