About
A bushy compact plant to 60cm with aromatic, small, ovate, mid to dark green leaves. Flowers freely over a long period from late spring to autumn. individual bicoloured flowers are pale pink and dark pink with maroon-purple bases and maroon-green calyces.
About the genus
Salvia can be annuals, biennials, herbaceous or evergreen perennials, or shrubs. They have paired, simple or pinnately lobed, often aromatic leaves and 2-lipped flowers in whorls, forming simple or branched spikes or racemes
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Coastal, Mediterranean climate plants, Wildlife gardens
FragranceFoliage
Care notes
CultivationGrow in light, moderately fertile, well-drained soil with shelter and full sun. Drought tolerant. Best overwintered under glass in frost free conditions with full light and using well-drained potting compost with added grit. See our video How to care for tender salvia for more advice
PruningPruning group 9 in spring, deadhead to prolong flowering
PropagationPropagate by basal cuttings or softwood cuttings in spring or early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or autumn with bottom heat
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to leafhoppers, slugs, snails, rosemary beetle, aphids, glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots