Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Herbaceous Perennial

Salvia × sylvestris 'Mainacht'
  • RHS AGM
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

wood sage 'Mainacht'

A compact perennial with neat, dark green foliage and dense racemes of deep violet flowers in early summer

Synonyms
Salvia nemorosa 'Mai Nacht'
Salvia nemorosa 'May Night'
see moreSalvia sylvestris 'May Night'
Salvia × sylvestris May Night
Salvia × superba May Night
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Blue Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in light, moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. Best in full sun but can tolerate light partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Remove flower spikes as they fade to prolong flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to sage leafhopper, slugs, snails and rosemary beetle

Diseases

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

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.