Salvia uliginosa (bog sage) — Clump-forming or bushy, upright

Overview

Salvia uliginosa 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 uliginosa 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, wildlife gardens and water margins. It is native to Brazil to Argentina.

About

Salvia uliginosa is a perennial Salvia with an upright, clump-forming, multi-stemmed habit and aromatic, often felted foliage. It flowers in the UK from June to September. Plants need full sun in light loam, sand or chalk on neutral to alkaline soil and must be sharply drained, as winter wet is the usual cause of loss. Position in a south- or west-facing, sheltered spot for best results.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Salvia uliginosa

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 uliginosa is a perennial native from Brazil to Argentina within the Lamiaceae and carries the characteristic aromatic foliage of the genus. In the UK it flowers from June to September, providing a clear mid-summer to early-autumn display. Fruiting is not a primary ornamental feature; the foliage and flowering span are the main garden assets. Give it a sunny site on light loam, sand or chalk with a neutral to alkaline pH and sharp drainage; prolonged winter wet is the usual cause of decline. Sheltered aspects facing south or west reduce exposure to cold winds and desiccation. Hardiness varies with form: shrubby selections fall roughly into H3–H5 (borderline to hardy), while the herbaceous, woody-rooted types sit around H6–H7 (very to fully hardy), and it also maps to USDA zones 5–10. Use bog sage in mixed borders, wildlife-focused beds or at water margins where soil stays free-draining despite summer moisture. The foliage is aromatic and often textured or felted, releasing its scent when brushed, which makes it especially useful where leaf fragrance is desired alongside seasonal flowers.

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 uliginosa 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, wildlife gardens, water margins
Native to: Brazil to Argentina
Fragrance: Foliage

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Salvia uliginosa

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 uliginosa?

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 uliginosa?

Salvia uliginosa prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Salvia uliginosa need?

Salvia uliginosa 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 uliginosa?

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 uliginosa hardy in the UK?

Salvia uliginosa 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 uliginosa?

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 →