About
A bushy sub-shrub to 90cm tall, with light green, ovate leaves strongly tangerine-scented, and tubular red flowers 3cm long in short spikes in winter and spring. The red flowers are edible and the tangerine-scented leaves can be used to flavour dishes, drinks and teas.
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
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial, Shrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass grow in well-drained, peat-free potting compost in full light with shade from hot sun; can be moved outdoors during the summer months. See our video How to care for tender salvia for more advice
PruningCut back spent flower spikes to prolong flowering
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in spring or early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or autumn with bottom heat
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, snails and capsid bug, aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to foot and root rots under glass