About
A bushy, upright plant to 2m, with aromatic, slender, deeply-veined, bright to mid green leaves. Downy, white, tubular flowers are suffused with a lavender-blue tint (which becomes more pronounced as their long season progresses) and emerge from blue-purple calyces.
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 typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCoastal, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Mediterranean climate plants, Wildlife gardens, Gravel garden
FragranceFoliage
Care notes
CultivationGrow in light, moderately fertile, well-drained soil in a sheltered position with full sun. Very attractive to pollinating insects. Drought tolerant. Best overwintered under glass; grow in peat-free potting compost with added grit, in full light. See our video How to care for tender salvia for more advice
PruningCut back spent flower spikes to prolong flowering
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in spring or semi-ripe cuttings in late summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to rosemary beetle and leafhoppers and slug and snail damage on young growth. Under glass may be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots