Salvia × sylvestris (wood sage) — Clump-forming or bushy, upright

Overview

Salvia × sylvestris 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 × sylvestris 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. Suggested uses include borders, rock gardens, herbaceous beds and and as ground cover.. It is native to Europe.

About

Salvia × sylvestris, known as wood sage, is a clump-forming perennial in the mint family with aromatic, often textured leaves. It produces upright flowering spikes that appear in summer. Flowers open from June to September. Plants prefer full sun on sharply drained, neutral to alkaline soils in a south- or west-facing, sheltered spot.

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

Salvia × sylvestris is a perennial member of the genus Salvia and the family Lamiaceae, native to Europe. It forms upright, clump-forming growth with foliage that may be deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen depending on type; the leaves are aromatic with a sage-like scent and are often textured or felted. Plant wood sage in full sun on light loam, sand or chalk where the soil is neutral to alkaline and drains freely; winter wet is the usual cause of loss. A south- or west-facing, sheltered position suits it best. Shrubby kinds are rated approximately H3–H5 (borderline to hardy in UK terms), while the herbaceous, hardier species reach H6–H7 (very hardy to fully hardy). The equivalent USDA hardiness range is roughly zones 5–10. Use Salvia × sylvestris at the front or middle of perennial borders, in rock gardens, herbaceous beds, or as a low ground cover where sharply drained soil is available. Flowering occurs from June to September, giving several months of colour from the spikes, and the aromatic, often felted leaves continue to give texture outside the flowering season.

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 × sylvestris size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Clump-forming or bushy, upright
Foliage: Deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen; aromatic, often textured or felted
Suggested uses: Borders, rock gardens, herbaceous beds, and as ground cover.
Native to: Europe
Fragrance: Aromatic leaves with a sage-like scent.

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Salvia × sylvestris

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 × sylvestris?

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 × sylvestris?

Salvia × sylvestris prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Salvia × sylvestris need?

Salvia × sylvestris 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 × sylvestris?

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 × sylvestris hardy in the UK?

Salvia × sylvestris 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 × sylvestris?

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.

More in the Salvia genus

Browse all Salvia →