About
A clump-forming, deciduous perennial up to 1m tall with heart-shaped to oblong, scallop-edged, rough leaves. Flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink or white are carried tightly along upright, branching spikes in clusters of up to six flowers from summer into 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
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy, Clump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants, City and courtyard gardens, Wildlife gardens, Coastal, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants
Native toEurope to Russia
Care notes
CultivationGrow in light, moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. Mulch in spring. Best in full sun but can tolerate light partial shade. Drought-tolerant once established
PruningCut back spent flower spikes to prolong flowering
PropagationPropagate by seed or by division in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots