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Herbaceous Perennial

Salvia forskaehlei
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

indigo woodland sage

A bushy perennial to 90cm tall, with lyre-shaped or ovate leaves to 30cm long, and long spikes of violet flowers with white tubes, opening in summer and early autumn

Synonyms
Salvia tachiei hort.
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Purple Green
Autumn Purple Green
Winter
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
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

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Balkans & N Turkey

How to grow

Cultivation

Best grown in any light, moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed in spring or divide established clumps; Take softwood cuttings in spring or early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in late summer and autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Patio and container plants
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Cut back spent flower spikes to prolong flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to leafhoppers, slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots

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