About
Salvia dombeyi, the giant Bolivian sage, is a spreading shrub with long, slender, scrambling stems to 2.5 m and heart-shaped, mid-green leaves to 20 cm long. Clusters of long, pendent, bright-red, hairy flowers up to 9 cm long emerge from dark-purple calyces from summer into autumn. A spectacular and ornamental sage for a sunny, sheltered, frost-free garden.
About the genus
Salvia, the sages, are annuals, biennials, herbaceous or evergreen perennials and shrubs with paired, simple or pinnately lobed, often aromatic leaves and two-lipped flowers in whorls forming spikes or racemes. An exceptionally diverse and popular genus for sunny, well-drained borders.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Gravel garden, Sub-tropical, Wildlife gardens
Native toPeru Bolivia
FragranceFoliage
Care notes
CultivationGrow under glass in peat-free potting compost in full light with shade from hot sun. Grow outdoors in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or dappled shade in a frost-free border. Protect from excessive winter wet. Climbing stems benefit from support provided by other plants or a trellis. See our video How to care for tender salvia for more advice
PruningPruning group 9; cut back overwintered plants in spring
PropagationPropagate from softwood cuttings or semi-ripe cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, snails and capsid bug, aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots