Overview
Salvia blepharophylla 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 blepharophylla 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. Suggested uses include groundcover, rock gardens and borders. It is native to Mexico.
About
Salvia blepharophylla is a clump-forming perennial notable for its aromatic, often textured or felted leaves and summer flowering. It prefers a south- or west-facing, sheltered site in sharply drained soil and will not tolerate winter wet. Flowering in the UK occurs June to September, after which the foliage continues to provide scent and texture.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Salvia blepharophylla
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 blepharophylla is a perennial in the mint family native to Mexico, grown for its aromatic, often textured or felted foliage and its summer display. In the UK it flowers from June to September and is most reliably grown where roots stay dry through winter. Choose a sunny, south- or west-facing, sheltered position in light loam, sand or chalk with a neutral to alkaline pH. Sharp drainage is essential; winter wet is the usual cause of loss. Plant into free-draining soils or raised situations and avoid heavy, waterlogged ground. Hardiness varies with form: shrubby selections fall into about H3–H5 (borderline to hardy) whereas the hardy herbaceous types are around H6–H7 (very hardy to fully hardy). It suits gravel and rock gardens, low borders and can be used as a ground cover where conditions are right. The aromatic foliage remains a feature outside the flowering months and rewards placement where its scent can be noticed up close.
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 blepharophylla size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Perennial
- Habit
- Clump-forming or bushy, upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen; aromatic, often textured or felted
- Suggested uses
- Groundcover, rock gardens, borders
- Native to
- Mexico
- Fragrance
- Foliage
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Salvia blepharophylla
- 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 blepharophylla?
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 blepharophylla?
Salvia blepharophylla prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Salvia blepharophylla need?
Salvia blepharophylla 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 blepharophylla?
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 blepharophylla hardy in the UK?
Salvia blepharophylla 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 blepharophylla?
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
- Perovskia 'Blue Spire'
- Rosmarinus prostratus
- Salvia 'Black and Blue'
- Salvia 'Ostfriesland'
- Salvia 'Rose Queen'
- Salvia 'Royal Bumble'
- Salvia bicolorSage
- Salvia forskaohleiSage
