Introducing...
Long-lived border salvias
Botanical name: Salvia
Flowering throughout summer and into autumn, these perennials provide pops of colour in sunny borders. Long-lived border salvias come back year after year, they are easy to grow and are a favourite of bees.
Looks
Long-lived border salvias are either shrubs, like Salvia microphylla, or herbaceous perennials, like Salvia nemorosa. They’re upright plants with flower spikes that rise above mounds of foliage.
Likes
Perennial salvias prefer free-draining soil, but can be worth trying on heavier soil in a sunny location.
Dislikes
Cold, drying winds can damage soft foliage in early spring. They dislike very wet soil and all but Salvia glutinosa dislike shade.
Did you know?
These salvias respond well to regular deadheading, producing a succession of flowers over several weeks.
Growing guide
How to grow salvias
All the information you'll need to grow & care for salvias in your garden – including advice on growing conditions, planting, feeding, watering, deadheading, pruning, overwintering and propagating.
Long-lived border salvia we recommend
Salvia pratensis 'Indigo'
clary 'Indigo'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Salvia pratensis 'Pink Delight'PBR
clary 'Pink Delight'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'
Balkan clary 'Caradonna'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Salvia pratensis 'Indigo'
clary 'Indigo'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Salvia pratensis 'Pink Delight'PBR
clary 'Pink Delight'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'
Balkan clary 'Caradonna'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Chelsea chop
Cutting back perennials
Perennial borders: choosing plants
Salvia cuttings
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