About
Purple Velvet' is a woody-based perennial or tender, evergreen shrub, to 1m tall, with narrowly-lance-shaped aromatic leaves and, from summer into autumn, deep purple hairy flowers emerging from purple calyces and held on erect white stems with a dense covering of fine hairs.
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, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Mediterranean climate plants, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal
FragranceFoliage
Care notes
CultivationGrow under glass in peat-free potting compost in full light with shade from hot sun. Grow outdoors in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or dappled shade in a frost-free border. Protect from excessive winter wet. See our video How to care for tender salvia for more advice
PruningPruning group 9 in spring
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in spring or semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots