About
A bushy, woody-based deciduous perennial to 1.2m tall, with upright white stems bearing delicately cut aromatic, grey-green leaves to 5cm long, and long terminal panicles of tiny blue flowers in late summer and early autumn.
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, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens, Mediterranean climate plants
Native toChina
FragranceFoliage
Care notes
CultivationGrow in well-drained, poor to moderately fertile soil in full sun, tolerant of dry chalky soil and coastal conditions
PruningPruning group 6, cut back hard in early spring
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in late spring or semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots