Overview
Salvia nutans 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 nutans 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 Greece, Eastern Europe and Caucasus.
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
A member of the Lamiaceae, Salvia nutans is native to Greece, eastern Europe and the Caucasus and grows as a clump-forming, upright perennial. It carries aromatic leaves that are often textured or felted and produces its display from June to September. Shrubby selections and the herbaceous species share the same preference for bright, sharp conditions. Plant in full sun on a light, free-draining soil such as loam, sand or chalk and choose a neutral to alkaline substrate. Position the plant on a south- or west-facing, sheltered aspect where runoff and standing water are unlikely; winter wet is the usual cause of loss. Shrubby kinds sit in the H3–H5 range (borderline to hardy) while the herbaceous types rate H6–H7 (very hardy to fully hardy); the species also corresponds roughly to USDA zones 5–10. Salvia nutans suits sunny, well-drained borders, gravel beds or alkaline sites where moisture can be kept low through winter. Its felted foliage means avoid piling heavy, moisture-retaining mulch against the crown, since trapped damp exacerbates winter rot on less tolerant plants.
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 nutans 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
- Greece, Eastern Europe, Caucasus
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Salvia nutans
- 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 nutans?
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 nutans?
Salvia nutans prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Salvia nutans need?
Salvia nutans 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 nutans?
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 nutans hardy in the UK?
Salvia nutans 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 nutans?
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.
From the Fenn Plants journal
- Notes on DaffodilsWhen to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK, how deep, how to naturalise them in grass, why daffodils stop flowering (“blindness”), and why you should never mix cut daffodils with other flowers.
- Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
- Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.
More in the Salvia genus
- Perovskia 'Blue Spire'
- Rosmarinus prostratus
- Salvia 'Black and Blue'
- Salvia 'Ostfriesland'
- Salvia 'Rose Queen'
- Salvia 'Royal Bumble'
- Salvia bicolorSage
- Salvia blepharophyllaeyelash-leaved sage
