Salvia candidissima (blazing white sage) — Clump-forming or bushy, upright

Overview

Salvia candidissima 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 candidissima 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. It is native to western Greece, Turkey, Iraq and Iran.

About

Salvia candidissima is a perennial Salvia with creamy-white flower spikes that appear from June to September. It grows as a clump-forming, upright plant with aromatic leaves that are often textured or felted and may be deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen. Best placed in full sun on sharply drained soils such as light loam, sand or chalk in a south- or west-facing, sheltered position.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Salvia candidissima

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

Native to western Greece, Turkey, Iraq and Iran, Salvia candidissima is grown for its upright summer flower spikes and scented, often felted foliage. In its native range it sits among other drought-tolerant plants, and in cultivation it brings a restrained, pale-flowered presence to warm, sunny situations. Give it full sun and a sharply drained soil: suitable substrates include light loam, sand or chalk on neutral to alkaline ground. Position plants on a south- or west-facing, sheltered aspect where winter wet is minimised, since prolonged winter moisture is the usual cause of loss. Shrubby forms sit in a hardiness band H3–H5 (borderline to hardy), while the hardy herbaceous types rate H6–H7 (very to fully hardy); the equivalent USDA range is 5–10. It suits dry, sunny corners, sheltered sun borders or banks where free drainage can be achieved. Allow the clump to establish in a bright, protected spot and avoid heavy soils; the plant's aromatic, textured leaves and long summer flowering period make it well-suited to drier, alkaline sites. Expect creamy white flower spikes from June to September.

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 candidissima size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Clump-forming or bushy, upright
Foliage: Deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen; aromatic, often textured or felted
Native to: western Greece, Turkey, Iraq, Iran

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Salvia candidissima

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 candidissima?

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 candidissima?

Salvia candidissima prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Salvia candidissima need?

Salvia candidissima 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 candidissima?

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 candidissima hardy in the UK?

Salvia candidissima 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 candidissima?

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 →