About
Salvia glutinosa, the sticky clary, is a clump-forming perennial to 90 cm with sticky, ovate, mid-green leaves to 20 cm long and pale-yellow flowers marked with brown in loose spikes in summer and early autumn. A rewarding and ornamental shade-tolerant sage for a sheltered, moist, woodland border.
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, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toEurasia
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained soil in sun or part shade but tolerant of dry shade
PruningCut down spent flower spikes to prolong flowering
PropagationPropagate by seed in containers in a cold frame in spring or propagate by division in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, capsid bug, rosemary beetle and leafhoppers
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots