Salvia interrupta (Atlas mountain sage) — Clump-forming or bushy, upright

Overview

Salvia interrupta 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 interrupta 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 Morocco.

About

Salvia interrupta is a clump-forming perennial in the mint family with aromatic, often textured or felted foliage. It grows upright from a basal rosette and sends up tall flowering stalks. Flowering occurs June to September and the species comes from the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Plants perform best in a sunny, sheltered position on sharply drained soils.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Salvia interrupta

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 interrupta is a perennial Salvia native to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, where it grows on limestone slopes and in shaded arboreal sites. It produces an upright, clump-forming habit from a basal rosette and is notable for its textured, aromatic foliage and tall flower stems that appear through the summer. Place Salvia interrupta in full sun on light loam, sand or chalky ground with a neutral to alkaline pH; a south- or west-facing, sheltered aspect suits it best. Soil must be sharply drained — winter wet is the usual cause of loss — and exposure should be protected from the coldest, wet winds. Hardiness varies: shrubby forms fall between H3 and H5 (borderline to hardy), while the more herbaceous types range H6–H7 (very hardy to fully hardy); it also corresponds to USDA zones 5–10. Use it where dry, free-draining conditions prevail: gravel beds, dry banks and sunlit borders on chalky soils are appropriate sites. The aromatic leaves give seasonal scent as the plant flowers from June to September. Avoid winter-wet planting situations because prolonged soil moisture in winter is the common reason plants fail.

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 interrupta 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: Morocco
Fragrance: Foliage

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Salvia interrupta

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 interrupta?

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 interrupta?

Salvia interrupta prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Salvia interrupta need?

Salvia interrupta 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 interrupta?

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 interrupta hardy in the UK?

Salvia interrupta 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 interrupta?

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 →