Lyre-leaf Sage (Salvia lyrata)

 

Lyre-leaf sage (Salvia lyrata) has flowered in the arboretum for more than a decade. As a result of its acceptance in the arboretum landscape, this 'weedy' wildflower has colonized small pockets of space adjacent to the arboretum. In the above photo, we see a nice patch of Salvia on the west side of the Fitness Center.

Lyre-leaf sage is pictured with the red bricks of the Fitness Center in the background.

Lyre-leaf sage detail, April 3, 2022

Lyre-leaf sage detail, April 3, 2022

Winter Flowers

There is always a little color in the Louisiana landscape, even in 'the dead of winter'. Walking through the arboretum on February 12th, shortly before a predicted winter storm, a modest bouquet was collected. Some flowers are right on time, while others are appearing out of their expected season.

One sprig of lyre-leaf sage (Salvia lyrata) was found flowering all by its lonesome. We typically see these purplish-blue flowers in early spring.

One Louisiana iris hybrid was also found flowering out of season.

 

More than a few mayhaw flowers were found. Our mayhaws are expected to flower in February, and sometimes we see flowers in January.

A purple cone-flower in February is a rare sight. This patch of cone-flower is new to the arboretum; they were planted last April.

Echinacea sp.

It's not surprising to see flowers on the eastern red-cedars (Juniperus virginiana). During winter, the male individuals of this species take on a golden hue: tiny, yellow male cones cover the branches, altering the evergreen color when viewed from a distance.

Salvia lyrata

Salvia lyrata, commonly known as "lyre-leaved sage" is a native with overwintering rosettes that lie flat on the ground.