Salvia bicolor (Sage) — Clump-forming or bushy, upright

Overview

Salvia bicolor is a clump-forming or bushy, upright perennial in the genus Salvia, part of the Lamiaceae family, with deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen; aromatic, often textured or felted foliage. Salvia bicolor grows best in full sun, and tolerates light loam and sand or chalk soils and neutral to alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H3–H5 for shrubby kinds, H6–H7 for the hardy herbaceous species.

About

Salvia bicolor is a perennial member of the sage family that forms upright clumps with aromatic, often textured or felted leaves. It produces flowers from June to September when grown in a sunny site. Plant where soil is sharply drained — light loam, sand or chalk on neutral to alkaline pH — and choose a south- or west-facing, sheltered position. Winter wet is the usual cause of loss, so avoid heavy, poorly drained ground.

About the genus

Salvia is the largest genus of plants in the sage family Lamiaceae, with just under 1,000 species of shrubs, herbaceous perennials, and annuals. Within the Lamiaceae, Salvia is part of the tribe Mentheae within the subfamily Nepetoideae. One of several genera commonly referred to as sage, it includes two widely used herbs, Salvia officinalis and Salvia rosmarinus.

Wikipedia contributors, "Salvia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Salvia

In the garden

Salvia bicolor sits in the Lamiaceae (sage) group and grows as a clump-forming, upright perennial with aromatic foliage that may be deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen depending on form and winter severity. Flowering runs from June to September, providing a mid-summer to early autumn display on plants placed in full sun. Give Salvia bicolor sharply drained soil such as light loam, sand or chalk and a neutral to alkaline pH. Position it on a south- or west-facing bank or border where shelter from cold winds reduces the risk of damage; exposure matters because winter wet is the common cause of plant loss. Shrubby selections fall into H3–H5 on the UK scale (roughly borderline to hardy), while the hardier herbaceous types are H6–H7 (very to fully hardy); they also correspond to USDA zones 5–10. In the garden, choose free-draining gravel beds, raised borders or a sheltered sunny edging where salt and moisture stress are minimal. The aromatic, often felted leaves give textural contrast to neighbouring plants and on milder, sheltered sites semi-evergreen forms may retain foliage through winter.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Salvia

Sunlight: Full sun
Soil type: Light loam, sand or chalk
Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline
Soil moisture: Sharply drained; winter wet is the usual cause of loss
Aspect: South or west facing
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H3–H5 for shrubby kinds, H6–H7 for the hardy herbaceous species

Plant details

Salvia bicolor size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Clump-forming or bushy, upright
Foliage: Deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen; aromatic, often textured or felted

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Salvia bicolor

Cultivation: Drainage matters more than cold — most losses come from sitting wet through winter rather than from low temperature. Give the sunniest, sharpest-draining spot available, delay cutting back until spring so old growth shelters the crown, and take insurance cuttings of anything tender.
Pruning: Leave the top growth intact over winter, then cut back to a low framework of live buds in mid-spring once the frosts have passed. Deadhead through summer to extend flowering.
Propagation: Softwood and semi-ripe cuttings root very easily from spring to late summer, which is the standard insurance against winter losses. Divide hardy herbaceous kinds in spring.
Pest resistance: Aromatic foliage deters most pests; capsid bug and leafhopper occasionally cause spotting.
Disease resistance: Robust in dry conditions. Powdery mildew and root rot appear only where the soil stays wet.

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Salvia bicolor?

Drainage matters more than cold — most losses come from sitting wet through winter rather than from low temperature. Give the sunniest, sharpest-draining spot available, delay cutting back until spring so old growth shelters the crown, and take insurance cuttings of anything tender.

Where is the best place to plant Salvia bicolor?

Salvia bicolor prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Salvia bicolor need?

Salvia bicolor grows best in light loam and sand or chalk soil. It prefers neutral to alkaline soil. Aim for soil that stays sharply drained; winter wet is the usual cause of loss.

How do I prune Salvia bicolor?

Leave the top growth intact over winter, then cut back to a low framework of live buds in mid-spring once the frosts have passed. Deadhead through summer to extend flowering.

Is Salvia bicolor hardy in the UK?

Salvia bicolor has an RHS hardiness rating of H3, meaning it is half-hardy, tolerating -5 to 1°C, and may need winter protection in colder areas.

How do I propagate Salvia bicolor?

Softwood and semi-ripe cuttings root very easily from spring to late summer, which is the standard insurance against winter losses. Divide hardy herbaceous kinds in spring.

More in the Salvia genus

Browse all Salvia →