Salvia confertiflora (Sabra spike sage) — Clump-forming or bushy, upright

Overview

Salvia confertiflora 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. It typically grows around 0.1–0.5 metres tall. Salvia confertiflora 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 ornamental, borders and containers. It is native to Brazil.

About

Salvia confertiflora, the Sabra spike sage, is a perennial in the Lamiaceae with aromatic, often textured foliage and an upright, clump-forming habit. It typically reaches 0.1–0.5 metres in height and flowers from June to September. Grow it in full sun on sharply drained, neutral to alkaline soil, sited south- or west-facing and sheltered, since winter wet is the usual cause of loss.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Salvia confertiflora

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 Brazil, Salvia confertiflora (Sabra spike sage) carries the mint-family scent on textured leaves that release fragrance when handled. In UK conditions the flowering season runs June to September, producing obvious summer spike displays from plants planted in the right spot. Shrubby and herbaceous types are treated differently for hardiness: shrubby forms fall between H3 and H5 (borderline to hardy), while the more robust herbaceous types sit at H6–H7 (very hardy to fully hardy). The USDA range is 5–10. Choose a south- or west-facing, sheltered position in full sun and provide a light loam, sandy or chalky soil with a neutral to alkaline pH. Sharp drainage is essential; persistent winter wet is the most frequent cause of loss, so avoid heavy clay beds or consider raised planting or free-draining containers where soil cannot be improved. Exposure to drying winds should be minimised. Use Salvia confertiflora as an architectural perennial in mixed borders, as a feature in large containers, or where aromatic foliage is desirable beside paths. Its scented, felted leaves make it particularly effective at the front of a bed or in a container sited where the foliage can be appreciated 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 confertiflora size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Clump-forming or bushy, upright
Foliage: Deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen; aromatic, often textured or felted
Height: 0.1–0.5 metres
Suggested uses: Ornamental, borders, containers
Native to: Brazil
Fragrance: Foliage

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Salvia confertiflora

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 confertiflora?

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 confertiflora?

Salvia confertiflora prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Salvia confertiflora need?

Salvia confertiflora 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 confertiflora?

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.

How big does Salvia confertiflora grow?

Salvia confertiflora reaches a height of 0.1–0.5 metres.

Is Salvia confertiflora hardy in the UK?

Salvia confertiflora 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 confertiflora?

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 →