About
Roman Beauty' is a compact, bushy, evergreen shrub with arching stems bearing lnarrow, aromatic, mid- to dark green leaves and clusters of small, two-lipped, violet-blue flowers in late spring and early summer. Used as a culinary herb to flavour roasts, meat and vegetables, pasta, and added to syrups, cocktails, bread and cakes.
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 pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbs - Culinary, Shrubs
HabitBushy, Spreading branched
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants
ToxicitySkin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
CultivationThrives without much attention in poor, well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered position. Suitable for use as a low, formal or informal hedge. See rosemary cultivation for further advice
PruningPruning group 9;. prune lightly and regularly to prevent the plant from becoming woody. If used as a hedge, trim lightly after flowering
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
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