Salvia glutinosa (sticky clary) — Clump-forming or bushy, upright

Overview

Salvia glutinosa 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 1.2 m tall. Salvia glutinosa 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 Eurasia.

About

Salvia glutinosa is an upright, clump-forming perennial with aromatic, often felted foliage. It grows to around 1.2 m and suits a sunny, sharply drained site on light loam, sand or chalk. Foliage may be deciduous, semi‑evergreen or evergreen according to winter severity and position. It flowers in the UK from June to September.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Salvia glutinosa

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

Salvia glutinosa, commonly called sticky clary, is a Eurasian perennial in the sage family that forms upright clumps to about 1.2 m. The leaves are aromatic and frequently felted in texture; plants can behave as deciduous, semi‑evergreen or evergreen depending on local conditions. Flowering in the UK runs from June to September. Plant it in full sun on sharply drained soils such as light loam, sand or chalk and choose a south- or west-facing, sheltered aspect. Neutral to alkaline soil is preferred; avoid sites that remain wet in winter because winter damp is the usual cause of loss. Shrubby forms fall into a hardiness range of H3–H5 (borderline to hardy), while the hardy herbaceous types are H6–H7 (very hardy to fully hardy); the species also corresponds to USDA zones 5–10. In a UK garden it suits sunny borders, gravel or chalk situations where good drainage can be assured. Its aromatic, textured leaves give seasonal structure outside the flowering months, and the plant’s tolerance of alkaline, free-draining soils makes it particularly appropriate on chalky sites where moisture holds are minimal. Avoid waterlogged ground to reduce winter losses.

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 glutinosa 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: 1.2 m
Native to: Eurasia

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Salvia glutinosa

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 glutinosa?

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 glutinosa?

Salvia glutinosa prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Salvia glutinosa need?

Salvia glutinosa 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 glutinosa?

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 glutinosa grow?

Salvia glutinosa reaches a height of 1.2 m.

Is Salvia glutinosa hardy in the UK?

Salvia glutinosa 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 glutinosa?

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

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