PerennialsDiscover the right perennial plants for your garden.
Color Spires ® ' Violet Riot ' perennial salvia ( Salvia nemorosa ) . photograph by : Walters Gardens , Inc.
With snug to 1,000 species worldwide , salvias are penis of the mint family which also includes rosemary , thyme , lavender , andbasil . decorative salvias are also a relative of common sage , the culinary herbaceous plant used for cooking . Most varieties are native to spicy , juiceless climates and can be grown as perennials .
John Whittlesey , generator ofThe Plant Lover ’s Guide to Salvias , enjoin , " Hardy perennial salvia bring strong color and form to the early summer mete . “Salviasare a favourite of hummingbird , butterfly , and bees . Their drought - resistant nature and low maintenance make them a perfect choice for an easy - care garden .
On this page : Basics|Planting|Care|Design Tips|Varieties|FAQs
SALVIA BASICS
Zones:
Most varieties can be used as perennials in zone 5 - 9 , with some varieties insensate hardy to zone 4 or heat large-minded to zone 10 .
Height/Spread:
Varieties 1 to 6 feet tall & wide , with most averaging 2 to 3 feet .
Exposure:
Full sun , 6 hours of sunshine a day is needed to promote flowering . There are varieties that will also tolerate fond specter . ( See morefull - Dominicus perennial . )
Bloom Time:
As a rule , salvias flower recent saltation to decrease , with some starting a little earlier and others likeS. leucanthablooming later .
Colors and characteristics:
Flower spikes flower in shades of blue , grim purpleness , lilac-colored , red , pinkish , white and a rarified yellowness . The stem are square and have narrow , velvety green leaf .
HOW TO PLANT SALVIA
When to plant:
Potted salvias can be purchased and planted in spring or free fall . ( Learn more about thebenefits of fall planting ) . Seeds should be start indoors 6 to 8 weeks before last icing date , and seedlings put out after all threat of freeze has passed .
Where to plant:
Picking the correct spot for your salvia can make a difference in how well the plant life spring up and flower . Most salvias will be happiest in a cheery topographic point with good drainage . Use them along your home ’s grounding or as part of motley perennial borders . They can also be grown in containers . Salvias are especially nice for raise along paths because of the way they talk over and soften the edge .
Soil:
Salvia industrial plant do n’t need fat soil , but they must have good drain . If your soil is heavy , plant life " proud " , or slightly high than the surrounding tier . In pots , a mixture of average garden land fuse with perlite allows water to drain quickly . Whether in the garden or in a pot , a mulch of wood chips or small , approximate - edged sway is highly recommend to not only protect the roots , but to serve keep the soil temperature and moisture consistent .
Spacing:
Salvias do n’t like to be push . When planting in mathematical group or amongst other plants , regulate the spacing based on their mature size of it . place them far enough aside to ensure respectable strain circulation .
SALVIA CARE
Water:
Most varieties of salvia are drouth patient of once establish , but they ’ll look better with casual water .
Pruning:
Deadheading is important to encourage repeat blossom . However , if you are looking to reap germ , leave a few flowerheads to dry naturally on the plant . call for the seedpod and shake out into a traveling bag or jolt .
Fertilizer:
Most sage are light feeders and only occasionally require fertiliser . A light app of abalanced fertilizeror compost in former fountain can be sufficient .
Diseases and pests:
No serious disease or pest problems affect salvia plants .
Flopping:
There are a variety of reasons salvias flop , include too much urine , from rain or irrigation , not enough Dominicus , or too much fertilizer . If your salvia plant life has become long-shanked and flopped over you may either provide support for the plant with stake or deadhead the flowers and let new ones grow in . Many gardeners think flopping is a sign that it is sentence to prune or divide their salvia . determine more onhow to divide perennial .
SALVIA VARIETIES
exposure by : Proven Winners .
' pinkish Profusion'—Buy now from Proven WinnersSalvia nemorosa
Zones:3 - 8Height / Spread:14 to 16 in tall , 16 to 20 inches wideBloom Time : Late springiness to early summerBloom colour : Dark pinkExposure : Sun
coloured pink flower on dreary pink calyces start blooming in late spring and continue through summer . Grows well in almost any climate .
2024 Perennial of the Year
Rockin ' ® Fuchsia — Buy now from Proven WinnersSalviahybrid
Zones:9 - 11 , grown as an yearbook in cold areasHeight / Spread:24 to 26 inches marvelous , 24 to 30 inches wideBloom sentence : Spring until frostBloom Color : Fuchsia bloom with black calyxExposure : Part sun to sun
Hummingbirds , butterflies , and bees all make love this flora , making it a great option forpollinator garden . Does not determine seed , so will blossom all season .
Rockin ' ® Blue Suede Shoes ™ —Buy now from Proven WinnersSalviahybrid
Zones:9 - 11 , grow as an annual in colder areasHeight / Spread:30 to 40 inches tall , 24 to 30 inch wideBloom Time : bound until hard frostBloom Color : Light bluish - purple flowers with black calyxExposure : fond to full sun
Another tough salvia loved by pollinator . Easily trim to the size and shape you require , and it will become thicker and have more flowers . Does not set semen , so continues to flower all season .
Rockin ' ® Playin ' The Blues ® —Buy now from Proven WinnersSalviahybrid
Zones:7 - 10 , grow as an annual in cold areasHeight / Spread:24 to 48 inches tall , 24 to 36 inches wideBloom Time : Spring until operose frostBloom colour : hopeful disconsolate - imperial flower with dark calycesExposure : fond to full Dominicus
Enjoy vibrant blue flowers all summer with this award - winning works . Even as blooming disappearance , the deep - blue calyx remain , keep the stalks looking vivacious and full . It ’s also heating system and drought resistant , and add interest in the gloaming .
Unplugged ® Pink — Buy now from Proven WinnersSalviahybrid
Zones:3 - 8Height / Spread:14 to 24 inchess tall , 12 to 20 inch wideBloom clock time : Spring to frostBloom Color : lustrous pinkish bloom with black calyxExposure : fond to full sunshine
One of the best salvia for your garden ; works terrifically in passion and humidness . Perfect sizing for containers or front to middle of a border .
Color Spires ® ' Violet Riot'—Buy now from Proven WinnersSalvia nemorosa
Zones:3 - 8Height / Spread:22 to 24 inches marvelous & wideBloom Time : June to SeptemberBloom Color : Vivid reddish blue blueExposure : Full sun , afternoon shade in hot summer climates
This colored perennial feature vivid violet - bluish flower spikes over aromatic , mounded foliation , ideal for aggregative planting . It attracts butterflies , hummingbirds , and bee , and resist cervid and rabbits . With fragrant efflorescence and leafage , as well as saltiness permissiveness , it ’s a great choice for various garden configurations .
Rockin ® ' Golden Delicious'—Buy now from Proven WinnersPineapple sage ( Salvia elegans )
Zones:8 - 11Height / Spread:3 to 4 feet tall , 2 to 3 feet wideBloom clip : August to frostBloom Color : RedExposure : Full sun , tolerate weak good afternoon spectre
This mixed bag has aromatic leaf that smells like ananas and is primarily acquire for its foliage . It does get cerise flowers in the descent , but generally only in warmer Southern realm .
‘ Evolution’Mealycup sage ( Salvia farinacea )
Zones:8 - 10Height / Spread:1 to 2 ft marvelous , 12 to 16 inches wideBloom Time : May to frostBloom Color : PurpleExposure : Partial to full sunlight
' Evolution ' has a tenacious blooming season and is a stark choice for meadow or bungalow - elan gardens , engraft in containers , window boxes , beds and borders . Also good for cut flowers .
exposure by : Tom Carnes / Shutterstock .
fall sage or Texas sageSalvia greggii
Zones:6 - 9Height / Spread:2 to 3 feet grandiloquent & wideBloom Time : June to OctoberBloom Color : Varieties in cherry-red , pinkish , orange , purple , or whiteExposure : Full sun
This fast - growing , evergreen plant shrub is a popular garden plant in the Southwest .
Photo by : Gurcharan Singh / Shutterstock .
‘ Midnight’Mexican bush salvia ( Salvia leucantha )
Zones:8 - 10Height / Spread:3 to 4 feet tall , 4 to 6 feet wideBloom sentence : August to frostBloom Color : PurpleExposure : Full sun , will tolerate some good afternoon shade
Although Mexican bush sage typically has white flowers held in purple calyx , ‘ Midnight ’ is entirely purple .
Photo by : Erik E. Cardona / Shutterstock .
‘ Mainacht’May Night ( Salviaxsylvestris )
Zones:4 - 8Height / Spread:1.5 feet to 2 feet tall , 1 to 1.5 groundwork wideBloom clock time : May to JuneBloom Color : PurpleExposure : Full sun
recognize as Perennial Plant of the Year in 1997 , May Night is a prolific bloomer . Deadheading and some extra lachrymation can produce a second bloom .
picture by : Peter Turner Photography / Shutterstock .
Cleveland sageSalvia clevelandii
Zones:8 - 11 , annual in colder zonesHeight / Spread:3 to 5 feet marvellous , 2 to 4 pes wideBloom clip : July to OctoberBloom Color : BlueExposure : Full Dominicus , tolerate very light tone
Photo by : enrouteksm / Shutterstock .
‘ Hot Lips’Mountain sage ( Salvia microphylla )
Zones:6 - 10Height / Spread:2 to 3 infantry improbable & wideBloom Time : Spring , fallBloom Color : Two - toned , red and whiteExposure : Full sun
This easy - to - grow salvia from Mexico and southeastern Arizona is drought and deer tolerant .
Photo by : guentermanaus / Shutterstock .
' Amistad’Friendship sage
Zones:8 - 10 , annual in cold zonesHeight / Spread:3 to 5 foot marvelous , 4 to 6 feet wideBloom Time : Mid - summertime to early fallBloom gloss : Violet - purpleExposure : Full sun or morning sun with good afternoon shade
This hybrid sage , discovered in Argentina , is an fantabulous pick for coastal California , as well as westerly Washington and Oregon . Likely to also do well along the Gulf Coast and in Florida .
pic by : HHelene / Shutterstock .
Gentian sageSalvia patens
Zones:8 - 10 , annual in colder zonesHeight / Spread:1.5 to 3 foot tall & wideBloom Time : Summer to fallBloom colour : Co blue flowers ( demo ) , also available in lavender , white and bicolor . vulnerability : Full sunlight to part tad
A deciduous salvia that overspread lento by tuberous roots , this flora won the esteemed Award of Garden Merit from RHS .
DESIGN TIPS
Pollinator Houserecipe include Rockin ' ® Fuchsia salvia , Luscious ® Berry Blend ™ lantana , ' Pardon My Cerise ' bee balm , Supertunia ® Really Red , and ' Cat ’s Pajamas ' catnip .
OTHER USES:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is salvia a perennial?
Some salvia are considered annuals and others perennial . Among the perennial , there are old - world types that come from Europe and Asia , as well as American indigene that come from the western half of the U.S. In add-on , some sage are classified as woody - stemmed bush , some are deciduous plants that die to the ground during winter , and others are evergreen .
Is salvia poisonous?
Salvia is not vicious to hound , cats , or horses ; however , if ingested in prominent quantities it can cause irregular stomach confused .
Is salvia deer resistant?
Deer tend to steer clear from sage and other sages , as they do n’t like plants with a stiff scent .
Will salvias grow in shade?
Most salvias prefer full sunshine , but there are a few types that will do well in separate out shade . Here are some pick :
Are salvias invasive?
mostly speaking , sage do not have a reputation of being invasive . However , certain species can be a problem in specific regions . Here are ace to be cognisant of :
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