Salvia hians (Cashmere sage) — Clump-forming or bushy, upright

Overview

Salvia hians 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. Salvia hians 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 Himalayas, Pakistan, Bhutan and Kashmir.

About

Salvia hians is a perennial Salvia from the Himalayas with aromatic, often textured or felted leaves and an upright, clump-forming habit. It flowers in the UK from June to September. The plant prefers full sun and sharply drained soils such as light loam, sand or chalk and suits a south- or west-facing, sheltered aspect. Winter wet is the usual cause of loss, so keeping the root zone dry is crucial.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Salvia hians

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 hians originates from the high Himalayas — including Pakistan, Kashmir and Bhutan — and has a mound-forming habit with aromatic, textured foliage. In a UK context it produces its main display in the summer months, flowering from June to September. For siting choose a sunny, south- or west-facing position with shelter from cold prevailing winds. It favours sharply drained soils (light loam, sand or chalk) on neutral to alkaline pH; poor drainage and winter wet are the principal risks. Shrubby cultivars sit in the H3–H5 range (borderline to hardy), while the more herbaceous, genuinely hardy strains fall between H6 and H7 (very hardy to fully hardy). USDA zones are given as 5–10, which indicates reasonable tolerance of winter cold where drainage is good. Use it where a dry, sunny patch is available: open gravelly banks, chalky borders or raised beds on a warm, sheltered aspect. On heavier sites plant on a slight mound or incorporate sharp grit into the planting hole to keep the crown dry. Keeping crowns free of standing moisture through winter reduces the common losses of Salvia hians.

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 hians size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Clump-forming or bushy, upright
Foliage: Deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen; aromatic, often textured or felted
Native to: Himalayas, Pakistan, Bhutan, Kashmir

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Salvia hians

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 hians?

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 hians?

Salvia hians prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Salvia hians need?

Salvia hians 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 hians?

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.

Is Salvia hians hardy in the UK?

Salvia hians 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 hians?

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

Browse all Salvia →