Salvia elegans
pineapple sage
S. elegans is a tender perennial, to 1m tall, with ovate, softly-hairy, aromatic leaves up to 7cm long. The tubular, bright scarlet-red flowers, up to 2.5cm long, are arranged in loose whorls on terminal flower spikes
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | Red | Green | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Native to the UK
- 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
- Mexico, Guatemala
How to grow
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in well-drained, loamless or loam-based potting compost (John Innes No.2 or 3) in full light with shade from hot sun. While in gRowth, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; water moderately in winter. Maintain low to moderate humidity. Outdoors, grow in light, moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun and shelter from cold, drying winds
Propagation
Propagate from softwood cuttings or semi-ripe cuttings. Not commonly grown from seed
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Wall side borders
- Bedding
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
Cut back spent flower spikes to prolong flowering
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs, snails and capsid bug, aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots
Get involved
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