About
An upright aromatic, evergreen shrub with needle-like green leaves and small pale pink flowers, with a stripe on the lower lip. The flowers occur in the axils of the leaves in spring and 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
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbs - Culinary, Shrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants, Gravel garden, Coastal
FragranceFoliage
ToxicitySkin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
CultivationEasy to grow aromatic evergreen shrub. Plant in poor, well drained soil, in full sun and may be used for a informal or formal low hedge which should be trimmed after flowering. See rosemary cultivation for further advice
PruningPruning group 9
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to rosemary beetle, cuckoo spit, sage leafhopper, tortrix moth and scale insects
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots