About

An upright, bushy, evergreen sub-shrub or woody-based perennial with aromatic, small, rounded, mid-green leaves. From early summer to late autumn it produces an abundance of upward-facing, rose-pink or salmon two-lipped flowers with white throats.

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, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy, Clump forming
FoliageDeciduous, Semi evergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants
FragranceFoliage

Care notes

CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained or well-drained soil, preferably in full-sun. Tolerant of poor drier soils once established.
PruningPruning group 9 in spring, deadhead to prolong flowering
PropagationTake softwood cuttings and softwood basal cuttings in spring to midsummer. Take semi-ripe cuttings from late summer to autumn.
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to leafhopper, slugs and snails.
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots