Salvia Plants: Growing & Caring for Ornamental Sages

Don’t overdo it with fertilizer—sage isn’t a heavy feeder. However, if you’re in a hot climate (zone 8 or higher), your sage will appreciate some afternoon shade to avoid scorching. Sage loves sunshine and well-draining soil. You can sow seeds outdoors around the last spring frost date or get a head start by starting them indoors 6 to 8 weeks earlier. It is also the species burned for traditional spiritual ceremonies.

Another good cultivar is ‘Pink Dawn’, a shorter plant (18 inches) with pink flowers. Removing the spent flowers keeps the plant looking tidy. The former has genuinely blue flowers, which is somewhat unusual and thus highly desirable. Salvia plants are easy to grow and propagate. Salvias, also called sage, are part of the mint (Lamiaceae) plant family.

‘Pineapple’ Sage

To overwinter in containers, plant them in the ground in a sheltered spot by early fall. Removing flowers after they have faded will promote rebloom. The terms “salvia” and “sage” are often used interchangeably. Different types of salvia include shrubs, herbaceous perennials, biennials or annuals. Salvia is a flowering plant in the mint family, and is also related to rosemary and culinary sage. To encourage its delightful reblooming habit, simply cut back the plant after flowering.

• Don’t have the perfect garden spot for sage?
• They grow 18 inches to 5 feet tall, depending on the variety.
• In addition, blue sage is a perfect planting partner for purple-leafed shrubs like ‘Summer Wine’ ninebark.
• Explore our diverse selection to find the perfect sage for your garden.
• Most Salvia species are non-toxic.

Bloom Time:

Keep scrolling for popular types of salvia plants to consider for your garden. ‘Perfect Profusion’ (Salvia nemerosa) has soft icy blue flower spikes that begin blooming in late spring, with repeat bloom throughout the summer. Its unique, deep purple blooms create a rich, velvety display from early summer right through to the first frost of fall. Many species are used as herbs, as ornamental plants (usually for flower interest), and sometimes for their ornamental and aromatic foliage.

‘Victoria Blue’ Salvia

Plant during the late spring or even early summer to take advantage of its blooms. Hot Lips is fast-growing and will welcome butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects to your garden. This salvia variety blooms all summer long, right until the first frost. Blooming from July to September, purple rain has whorls of purple flowers that thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Purple rain (Salvia verticillata), also known as lilac sage, is a herbaceous perennial that attracts butterflies and bees.

Easily trim to the size and shape you want, and it will become thicker and have more flowers. Another tough salvia loved by pollinators. Does not set seed, so will bloom all season. A light application of a balanced fertilizer or compost in early spring can be sufficient.

• Some salvias often self-propagate, so you might find seedlings you can use in other parts of your landscape!
• ‘Summer Jewel Pink’, one of the prettiest salvias, is a smaller plant (20 inches) that blooms with dainty but profuse flowers from late spring to early fall.
• This hardy salvia has a compact mounding habit suitable for mass plantings and as border edging.
• The plant has historically been used by shamans to achieve altered states of consciousness and has grown in popularity as a recreational drug; the leaves can be eaten or smoked.
• Rockin’® Blue Suede Shoes™ (Salvia hybrid) is a show-stopper with a vivid display of blue flowers.

Red Salvia

This method is cost-effective and ideal for replacing woody, older plants. Propagate sage through stem cuttings in spring when growth is active. Your sage will thrive, and your garden ecosystem will benefit too. Regular trimming during the growing season helps maintain the plant’s shape and promotes bushiness. At this point, it’s best to replace them with new salvia trip explained plants for better harvests.

Baby Sage

Hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees all love this plant, making it a great choice for pollinator gardens. If your salvia plant has become leggy and flopped over you can either provide support for the plant with stakes or deadhead the flowers and let new ones grow in. Salvia plants don’t need rich soil, but they must have good drainage.

Gardening Products

Among the perennials, there are old-world types that come from Europe and Asia, as well as American natives that come from the western half of the U.S. Pollinator House recipe includes Rockin’® Fuchsia salvia, Luscious® Berry Blend™ lantana, ‘Pardon My Cerise’ bee balm, Supertunia® Really Red, and ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ catmint. This hybrid sage, discovered in Argentina, is an excellent choice for coastal California, as well as western Washington and Oregon. This easy-to-grow salvia from Mexico and southeastern Arizona is drought and deer tolerant. Deadheading and some extra watering can produce a second bloom. Recognized as Perennial Plant of the Year in 1997, May Night is a prolific bloomer.

Color Spires® ‘Violet Riot’ (Salvia nemorosa) produces an abundance of vivid violet-blue flower spikes from late spring to early summer. Rockin’® Playin’ the Blues® (Salvia longispicata x farinacea) is a standout variety that charms with true-blue flowers above dark green foliage. Hummingbirds, butterflies and bees all love it, which makes it a great plant for pollinator gardens. Rockin’® Fuchsia (Salvia hybrid) is a wonderful annual with vibrant flowers each with a black calyx on tough plants. Apply a balanced time-release fertilizer in spring or spread a thin layer of compost around the base of plants. Soil that is too rich may cause plants to become leggy and stems to fall over.

It depends on your climate and how hardy your salvia variety is. Provide a site that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun and has well-draining soil. Salvias combine well with a wide range of shrubs, perennials and annuals.

HOW TO PLANT SALVIA

Over-fertilizing can cause plants to become leggy and flop. Grow this easy-care flowering plant for long-lasting summer color Find plants you love and create idea boards for all your projects. Some species, such as Salvia columbariae and Salvia hispanica, are also grown for their seeds.

Salvias are most often perennials but can be annuals as well. David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. There are many ways to use salvia in your landscape. They tend to be slow to develop new growth in spring, so be patient.

Take care not to cut off adjacent side shoots, which will form the next set of flowers. Using sharp pruning shears, cut flower stalks between the highest set of leaves and the lowest spent flower on the stem. Others are tender perennials in warmer climates, or can be annuals or biennials. The compact habit is suitable for borders, mass plantings and containers. Use as a stand-alone accent, or as a background plant in a mixed border.

Butterflies and hummingbirds love the 2-inch-long flowers with the brightest royal blue blooms in the plant world. Adored by butterflies and hummingbirds, gardeners love this salvia for its low care requirements and brilliant blooms. ‘Evolution’ (Salvia farinacea ‘Evolution’) won an All-America Selections award for its masses of deep violet-purple flowers that appear from early summer into fall.

Know Your Zones

He found that the number of distinct species and subspecies could be reduced to less than 700. A modern and comprehensive study of Salvia species was done by Gabriel Alziar, in his Catalogue Synonymique des Salvia du Monde (1989) (World Catalog of Salvia Synonyms). Many species are similar to each other, and many species have varieties that have been given different specific names. The circumscription of individual species within Salvia has undergone constant revision.

In your area, it is best to just leave the stems alone until early spring—when the chance of frost has passed—and new growth begins. Pests and diseases are rarely an issue for salvia growers. Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag, trying to position the bag so that it does not touch the foliage.