About
This bushy evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub with dark green, oval leaves and dark red upright flowers over a long flowering season, appearing from May into the autumn.
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 typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
FragranceFoliage
Care notes
CultivationGrow in light, moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Needs a sheltered position, but usually overwinters if given full sun and good drainage. Drought tolerant
PruningPruning group 9, cut back spent flower spikes to prolong flowering
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings or semi-ripe cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, snails, rosemary beetle and leafhoppers
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots