About
Salvia uliginosa, the bog sage, is a sturdy, moisture-loving, herbaceous perennial to 2 m with slightly sticky, lance-shaped leaves and branched stems bearing short spikes of two-lipped, clear-blue flowers 2 cm long from late summer. One of the most rewarding and ornamental of all late-season sages for a moist, sunny border.
About the genus
Salvia, the sages, are annuals, biennials, herbaceous or evergreen perennials and shrubs with paired, simple or pinnately lobed, often aromatic leaves and two-lipped flowers in whorls forming spikes or racemes. An exceptionally diverse and popular genus for sunny, well-drained borders.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesMediterranean climate plants, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toBrazil to Argentina
FragranceFoliage
Care notes
CultivationGrow in light, moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist soil in full sun; usually needs support
PruningCut back flower spikes to proling flowering
PropagationPropagate by basal cuttings or softwood cuttings in spring or early summer or semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer or autumn with bottom heat
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to sage leafhopper, slugs, snails and rosemary beetle
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots