Introducing...
Salvia
Common name: Sage
Salvias offer a wealth of colour late in the growing season, with their upright spikes of jewel-toned flowers. The genus includes annuals and perennials, both hardy and tender, as well as the popular herb sage (Salvia officinalis).
Looks
Flowers are tubular, opening to a distinctive upper and lower lip. They are borne on dense flower spikes or more sparsely on wiry stems. Plants vary in size from compact (20cm) bedding types to tall (2m) border types and most have aromatic leaves.
Likes
Garden salvias mainly originate from the Mediterranean and the Americas so like light, free-draining soil and a sunny position.
Dislikes
Salvias dislike wet, heavy soils and will grow and flower poorly in shade.
Did you know?
Salvia is an RHS Plant for Pollinators; the flowers of the herb sage are particularly popular with bees.
Growing guide
How to grow salvias
All the information you'll need to select, grow & care for salvias in your garden – including advice on growing conditions, planting, feeding, watering, deadheading, pruning, overwintering and propagating.
Salvias we recommend
Salvia officinalis 'Purpurea'
purple sage
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Salvia involucrata 'Boutin'
rosy-leaf sage 'Boutin'
- 1–1.5 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Salvia officinalis 'Purpurea'
purple sage
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Salvia involucrata 'Boutin'
rosy-leaf sage 'Boutin'
- 1–1.5 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Related advice
Salvia cuttings
Perennial borders: choosing plants
Perennials: planting
Perennials: cutting back
Get involved
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