About
A clumn-forming herbaceous perennial, up to 60cm high, with a rosette of shiny, burgundy-coloured leaves which turn red in autumn, and small, white or pale lavender flowers in late spring and early summer.
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
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesGravel garden, Cottage and informal garden, Coastal, Mediterranean climate plants, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in sandy well-drained soil in full sun
PruningCut back spent flower spikes to prolong flowering
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, capsid bug, leafhoppers, slugs and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots