PerennialsDiscover the right perennial plants for your garden.
Color Spires ® ' Violet Riot ' perennial salvia ( Salvia nemorosa ) . Photo by : Walters Gardens , Inc.
With close to 1,000 coinage worldwide , salvias are phallus of the mint menage which also includes rosemary , thyme , lavender , andbasil . Ornamental salvias are also a relative of mutual sage , the culinary herbaceous plant used for cooking . Most motley are aboriginal to raging , dry clime and can be grown as perennial .
John Whittlesey , author ofThe Plant Lover ’s Guide to Salvias , says , " Hardy perennial sage bring strong vividness and form to the early summertime mete . “Salviasare a favourite of hummingbirds , butterfly stroke , and bees . Their drought - resistant nature and down in the mouth maintenance make them a perfect choice for an gentle - care garden .
On this page : Basics|Planting|Care|Design Tips|Varieties|FAQs
SALVIA BASICS
Zones:
Most varieties can be used as perennial in zones 5 - 9 , with some varieties cold-blooded hardy to zone 4 or heat large-minded to geographical zone 10 .
Height/Spread:
salmagundi 1 to 6 feet tall & wide , with most averaging 2 to 3 feet .
Exposure:
Full sun , 6 hours of sunlight a twenty-four hour period is needed to promote flowering . There are varieties that will also tolerate partial shade . ( See morefull - Sunday perennial . )
Bloom Time:
As a rule , salvia bloom recent spring to come down , with some starting a little earlier and others likeS. leucanthablooming later .
Colors and characteristics:
Flower spike flush in shades of gloomy , drear purpleness , lilac , red , pinkish , blank and a rare yellowness . The stems are satisfying and have narrow , velvety unripe leaves .
HOW TO PLANT SALVIA
When to plant:
Potted salvia can be purchased and set in spring or fall . ( pick up more about thebenefits of decline planting ) . seed should be start indoors 6 to 8 week before last frost date , and seedlings put out after all threat of frost has passed .
Where to plant:
cull the correct spot for your salvia can make a difference in how well the plant grows and blossom . Most salvias will be happiest in a gay fleck with full drain . Use them along your home base ’s introduction or as part of mixed perennial borderline . They can also be grow in containers . Salvias are particularly nice for develop along paths because of the elbow room they spill over and soften the edge .
Soil:
Salvia works do n’t need rich grunge , but they must have good drainage . If your soil is heavy , plant " proud " , or slightly higher than the surrounding grade . In batch , a mixture of ordinary garden soil mixed with perlite allows pee to drain rapidly . Whether in the garden or in a pot , a mulch of wood chips or diminished , rough - edge rock ‘n’ roll is highly recommended to not only protect the root , but to help keep the soil temperature and moisture consistent .
Spacing:
Salvias do n’t like to be herd . When planting in groups or amongst other plant , determine the spacing ground on their mature sizing . outer space them far enough apart to ensure good air circulation .
SALVIA CARE
Water:
Most variety of salvia are drouth tolerant once established , but they ’ll look better with casual H2O .
Pruning:
Deadheading is important to encourage repetition blooming . However , if you are looking to harvest semen , leave a few flowerheads to dry out course on the flora . Collect the seedpods and shake out into a bag or jar .
Fertilizer:
Most salvia are light feeders and only occasionally need fertilizer . A light software of abalanced fertilizeror compost in other saltation can be sufficient .
Diseases and pests:
No serious disease or pest problems sham salvia plant .
Flopping:
There are a miscellanea of reasons salvias flop , include too much water , from rainwater or irrigation , not enough Sunday , or too much fertilizer . If your salvia plant has become leggy and flopped over you may either cater support for the plant with stake or deadhead the heyday and rent new ones raise in . Many gardeners cogitate flopping is a sign that it is fourth dimension to prune or split their salvia . Learn more onhow to divide perennials .
SALVIA VARIETIES
picture by : Proven Winners .
' Pink Profusion'—Buy now from Proven WinnersSalvia nemorosa
Zones:3 - 8Height / Spread:14 to 16 inch tall , 16 to 20 in wideBloom prison term : Late spring to early summerBloom colouration : glowering pinkExposure : Sun
saturnine pinkish flowers on darker pinkish calyces start up bloom in late spring and stay on through summertime . Grows easy in almost any clime .
2024 Perennial of the Year
Rockin ' ® Fuchsia — Buy now from Proven WinnersSalviahybrid
Zones:9 - 11 , grown as an yearbook in colder areasHeight / Spread:24 to 26 inches tall , 24 to 30 inch wideBloom Time : saltation until frostBloom Color : Fuchsia flowers with smutty calyxExposure : Part sunlight to sun
hummingbird , butterflies , and bees all eff this plant , making it a great choice forpollinator gardens . Does not countersink source , so will blossom all season .
Rockin ' ® Blue Suede Shoes ™ —Buy now from Proven WinnersSalviahybrid
Zones:9 - 11 , grown as an annual in colder areasHeight / Spread:30 to 40 inches tall , 24 to 30 column inch wideBloom Time : give until hard frostBloom vividness : Light blueish - purple flowers with shameful calyxExposure : fond to full sun
Another tough sage bonk by pollinators . Easily trim to the size of it and form you desire , and it will become thicker and have more flower . Does not set seed , so continue to flower all time of year .
Rockin ' ® Playin ' The Blues ® —Buy now from Proven WinnersSalviahybrid
Zones:7 - 10 , farm as an yearly in colder areasHeight / Spread:24 to 48 inches tall , 24 to 36 inches wideBloom clock time : natural spring until hard frostBloom Color : Bright down in the mouth - purple flowers with dark calycesExposure : Partial to full sun
Enjoy vibrant blue-blooded flowers all summer with this prize - winning industrial plant . Even as efflorescence fade , the deep - blue calyx remain , keeping the stalks looking vibrant and full . It ’s also high temperature and drought tolerant , and adds involvement in the declivity .
Unplugged ® Pink — Buy now from Proven WinnersSalviahybrid
Zones:3 - 8Height / Spread:14 to 24 inchess marvellous , 12 to 20 inches wideBloom Time : natural spring to frostBloom Color : Bright pinkish efflorescence with black calyxExposure : Partial to full sun
One of the secure salvia for your garden ; ferment marvelously in heat and humidity . Perfect size of it for containers or front to center of a perimeter .
Color Spires ® ' Violet Riot'—Buy now from Proven WinnersSalvia nemorosa
Zones:3 - 8Height / Spread:22 to 24 inches improbable & wideBloom Time : June to SeptemberBloom Color : brilliant violet blueExposure : Full sunlight , good afternoon shade in hot summertime climate
This colorful perennial features brilliant violet - dingy flower spikes over aromatic , mounded foliage , idealistic for aggregated planting . It attracts butterflies , hummingbirds , and bees , and resists deer and rabbits . With fragrant flowers and leafage , as well as common salt allowance , it ’s a great choice for divers garden options .
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 Time : August to frostBloom Color : RedExposure : Full sun , stand light good afternoon shade
This form has aromatic foliage that smell like pineapple and is mainly grown for its foliage . It does get reddened flower in the fall , but generally only in warmer Southern area .
‘ Evolution’Mealycup sage ( Salvia farinacea )
Zones:8 - 10Height / Spread:1 to 2 invertebrate foot tall , 12 to 16 inch wideBloom Time : May to frostBloom vividness : PurpleExposure : fond to full sunshine
' Evolution ' has a prospicient blooming season and is a perfect option for hayfield or cottage - style gardens , planted in containers , window boxes , seam and border . Also proficient for slashed bloom .
Photo by : Tom Carnes / Shutterstock .
Autumn salvia or Texas sageSalvia greggii
Zones:6 - 9Height / Spread:2 to 3 ft improbable & wideBloom Time : June to OctoberBloom Color : Varieties in red , pinkish , orangish , purplish , or whiteExposure : Full sun
This fast - grow , evergreen shrub is a popular garden industrial plant in the Southwest .
Photo by : Gurcharan Singh / Shutterstock .
‘ Midnight’Mexican bush sage ( Salvia leucantha )
Zones:8 - 10Height / Spread:3 to 4 foot grandiloquent , 4 to 6 feet wideBloom Time : August to frostBloom coloration : PurpleExposure : Full sun , will tolerate some good afternoon shade
Although Mexican bush sage typically has white flower held in over-embellished calyces , ‘ Midnight ’ is only purple .
Photo by : Erik E. Cardona / Shutterstock .
‘ Mainacht’May Night ( Salviaxsylvestris )
Zones:4 - 8Height / Spread:1.5 feet to 2 feet grandiloquent , 1 to 1.5 feet wideBloom clock time : May to JuneBloom Color : PurpleExposure : Full Sunday
Recognized as Perennial Plant of the Year in 1997 , May Night is a fertile bungle . Deadheading and some additional watering can produce a second bloom .
exposure by : Peter Turner Photography / Shutterstock .
Cleveland sageSalvia clevelandii
Zones:8 - 11 , annual in cold-blooded zonesHeight / Spread:3 to 5 foot tall , 2 to 4 foot wideBloom Time : July to OctoberBloom Color : BlueExposure : Full sun , tolerates very light shade
photograph by : enrouteksm / Shutterstock .
‘ live Lips’Mountain sage ( Salvia microphylla )
Zones:6 - 10Height / Spread:2 to 3 feet tall & wideBloom Time : Spring , fallBloom Color : Two - strengthen , red-faced and whiteExposure : Full sun
This well-off - to - uprise salvia from Mexico and southeastern Arizona is drought and deer tolerant .
photograph by : guentermanaus / Shutterstock .
' Amistad’Friendship salvia
Zones:8 - 10 , annual in frigid zonesHeight / Spread:3 to 5 foot improbable , 4 to 6 feet wideBloom clock time : Mid - summer to early fallBloom colour : Violet - purpleExposure : Full Sunday or morning sunshine with good afternoon shade
This intercrossed sage , discovered in Argentina , is an first-class choice for coastal California , as well as westerly Washington and Oregon . probable to also do well along the Gulf Coast and in Florida .
photograph by : HHelene / Shutterstock .
Gentian sageSalvia patens
Zones:8 - 10 , annual in colder zonesHeight / Spread:1.5 to 3 foot tall & wideBloom prison term : Summer to fallBloom Color : Cobalt blue flowers ( point ) , also usable in lavender , lily-white and bicolor . photo : Full sun to part shade
A deciduous sage that go around slowly by tuberous ascendent , this plant won the esteemed Award of Garden Merit from RHS .
DESIGN TIPS
Pollinator Houserecipe includes Rockin ' ® Fuchsia salvia , Luscious ® Berry Blend ™ lantana , ' Pardon My Cerise ' bee balm , Supertunia ® Really Red , and ' Cat ’s Pajamas ' catmint .
OTHER USES:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is salvia a perennial?
Some salvias are considered annuals and others perennial . Among the perennials , there are former - earth type that total from Europe and Asia , as well as American natives that come from the western one-half of the U.S. In addition , some salvia are classify as woody - stemmed bush , some are deciduous plants that die to the flat coat during winter , and others are evergreen .
Is salvia poisonous?
Salvia is not vicious to dog , cats , or horses ; however , if ingested in large quantities it can make impermanent stomach upturned .
Is salvia deer resistant?
cervid be given to steer clean from salvias and other sages , as they do n’t like plants with a strong scent .
Will salvias grow in shade?
Most sage prefer full sun , but there are a few types that will do well in filtered tad . Here are some options :
Are salvias invasive?
more often than not speaking , salvias do not have a reputation of being invasive . However , sure coinage can be a problem in specific region . Here are ones to be aware of :
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