Salvia verticillata (whorled clary) — Clump-forming or bushy, upright

Overview

Salvia verticillata 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 verticillata 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. It is native to Europe to Russia.

About

Salvia verticillata is a clump-forming perennial sage notable for its tightly whorled spikes of lavender flowers and aromatic, often felted leaves. Originating from Europe to Russia, it flowers from June to September. Plants prefer full sun on sharply drained soils and suffer if left winter-wet. It suits sheltered, south- or west-facing positions.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Salvia verticillata

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 verticillata is a perennial in the Lamiaceae, native from central Europe through to Russia. It forms upright clumps with hairy, aromatic foliage and carries compact whorls of small lavender flowers on erect stems. Flowering runs from June to September in the UK. Give Salvia verticillata a sunny, south- or west-facing site with sharp drainage; light loam, sand or chalk with a neutral to alkaline pH suits it best. Sheltered exposure reduces the risk of winter damage, since prolonged wet at the roots is the usual cause of loss. Shrubby garden selections fall into a H3–H5 range (borderline to hardy), while the herbaceous forms are H6–H7 (very hardy to fully hardy); the species also corresponds roughly to USDA zones 5–10. Plant into sunny borders or gravelled areas where drainage is reliable and the textured foliage will contrast with smoother-leaved neighbours. The aromatic leaves and compact flower whorls make it useful where summer blooms are required on a sunny, sharply drained bank or mixed perennial bed, and cutting back spent flowering stems helps maintain tidy growth while showing the felted leaf texture through the 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 verticillata size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Clump-forming or bushy, upright
Foliage: Deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen; aromatic, often textured or felted
Native to: Europe to Russia

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Salvia verticillata

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 verticillata?

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 verticillata?

Salvia verticillata prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Salvia verticillata need?

Salvia verticillata 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 verticillata?

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 verticillata hardy in the UK?

Salvia verticillata 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 verticillata?

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 →