Salvia is an extremely hardy and disease resistant plant. It has long blooming season from summer to fall. It doesn't mind long dry spells and isn't finicky about soil. The whole plant can be sheared back to the new growth at the plant's base if dry weather or high winds damage the older leaves. The flower attract butterflies and hummingbirds. There are over 700 species ranging from the ubiquitous flaming red annual to low, flowering ground covers to the culinary herb sage and its many close relatives. Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) is no relation but probably got its common name from the silvery leaves and blue flower spikes that resemble those of some salvias.
FAVORITE SELECTIONS
"May Night" - named Perennial Plant of the Year in 1997, has deep blue flower spikes 1.5 to 2 feet tall that fan out from cllumps of gray-green leaves and bloom throughout the summer if deadheaded. After the flowers fall off, they leave behind attractive reddish purple bracts..
"Royal Crimson Distinction" - has reddish pink flowers on 1.5-foot spikes.
"Osfriesland" (East Friesland) - also grows to 1.5 feet and has deep purple flowers.
GARDEN COMPANIONS
Salvia's vertical flower spikes are the ideal complement to full, mounding plants. Try combining it with
- hardy geraniums
- Dianthus gratianopolitanus
- Artemisia "Powis Castle" and "Silver Mound"
- Lady's mantle
TLC
If you want bushier plants, pinch off the growing tips when plants are 6 inches tall. Deadheading will extend the bloom season. Apply a 6-inch layer of winter mulch after the ground freezes. Every year in early spring, dig in a controlled-release or complete fertilizer or an organic equivalent, such as fish emulsion or compost. Divide older plants in early spring when they begin to die out in the center.
