SALVIAS

Salvias are North American natives in the mint family. There are over 900 species, both annuals and perennials and a few biennial. Salvia are pollinator magnets! Wonderful plants for hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

GROWING SALVIA

Salvia flowers come in a variety of colors, but mostly blues and purples. There are some varieties of pinks, fuchsia, white, red and a yellow one we are trying this year. They are easy to grow, easy to care for, deer resistant, bloom abundantly and have long lasting blooms. They do best in full sun and well drained soil. We have a wonderful selection of perennial and annual salvia at the nursery.

THINK OF LATE SUMMER AND FALL EFFECT WHEN PLANTING NOW. THE LATER BLOOMING SEASON EXTENDER SALVIAS CAN DO THAT FOR YOU!

How to Plant Salvia for Success

Salvias are sun-loving, low-maintenance perennials that thrive in well-drained soil and reward you with vibrant blooms and pollinator activity all season long. Here's how to give them the best start:

Choose the Right Spot
Select a location with full sun and good drainage. Salvias don’t like soggy roots.
Prepare the Soil
Dig a hole twice the width of the plant’s container to give the roots room to grow.
Mix a 3-inch layer of compost into the existing soil to enrich and improve drainage.
Planting
Gently remove the Salvia from its container. Place it in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil.
Space plants 1 to 3 feet apart, depending on the variety, to allow for airflow and mature growth.
Backfill and Firm
Fill in around the plant with soil, pressing gently to eliminate air pockets and stabilize the root ball.
Water Well
Give your newly planted Salvias a deep, thorough watering to help settle the soil and reduce transplant stress.

Tip: Salvias are drought-tolerant once established, but consistent watering during the first few weeks is key to healthy root development.

Salvia Care Tips for Thriving Plants

Once your Salvias are planted, a little routine care will keep them blooming beautifully all season long.

Mulch Wisely
Apply a thin layer of mulch around the base of the plant to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Water Deeply
Water regularly and deeply, especially during the first few weeks after planting. Once established, Salvias become more drought-tolerant but still appreciate occasional deep watering during dry spells.
Encourage More Blooms
Deadheading spent flowers encourages repeat blooming. Follow the flower stem down to the base and cut just above the foliage for a clean finish and more blossoms.
Spring Cleanup
Wait until early spring, when you see signs of new growth, to cut back old stems. This helps protect the plant during winter and gives you a clearer view of what's emerging.
Divide Every 3 Years
To keep your Salvias vigorous, divide clumps every 3 years. The best time to divide is in early spring, before new growth fully emerges.

With just a bit of maintenance, Salvias reward you with long-lasting color and a steady stream of pollinators.

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PERENNIAL SALVIAS

The perennial salvias mostly bloom in early summer and if deadheaded will give a second flush of bloom that same year. The perennial Salvias are blooming now!

Perennial Salvias Available this Year:

Salvia Wind Walker Red

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*A perennial species of*
*Salvia that is majestic*
*for it’s size, 4’ tall.*
*Graceful arching stems*
*with brilliant red flowers*
*bloom from late June*
*through fall. Cut this*
*Salvia back to 6” in*
*early summer to keep*
*stems shorter and*
*stronger. Hummingbirds*
*love it!*

Salvia nemorosa Species

Savatore Blue: Aromatic royal purple/blue spikes adds depth and upright interest to garden beds and planters
Dark Matter
Caradonna
Feathers Peacock
White Profusion
Blue by You
Violet Riot
East Friesland
Blue Marvel
Rose Marvel
Snow Hill

Perennial salvia

Salvia greggi Mirage. A new perennial salvia series we are carrying. We have Mirage Salmon and Mirage Blue
Salvia Midnight Model : striking violet blue flowers in a round, dense clump.
Salvia Evening Attire : Huge, vivid violet blue flowers are packed tightly into a refined habit.
Salvia Moulin Rouge : Huge, rosy pink flowers.
Salvia verticillata ‘Purple Rain’: An oldie but Goody
Salvia sclarea turkestanica : this variety has white flecks with pink.

Salvia sclarea ‘Clary Sage’ : A biennial species of Salvia that we grow from seed. This one is native to the Mediterranean basin. It is very showy with big spikes bearing large colorful bracts that seem to last all summer. This is a big plant! The straight species is pink with darker pink edges.

Salvia argentea : Commonly called silver sage is a clump-forming biennial with silvery leaves and white flowers

Salvia Lyrical Blue : meadow sage, indigo-blue petals and burgundy accents
Salvia Lyrical Rose
Salvia Rhythm and Blues

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ANNUAL SALVIA:

SEASON EXTENDERS

Plant them now and they will be gorgeous in the fall!

We also carry a vast selection of annual salvias. They are considered season extenders because they bloom all summer and into late fall. Sometimes the Pineapple Sage is still blooming in November! They benefit from being planted early so they can reach full size. Annual Salvia do great in containers or in your garden beds but remember they are annuals so will not come back next year. This year we have a wonderful stock of Salvia Indigo Spires, Salvia guaranitica Black and Blue, Salvia leucantha and Salvia uliginosa. They are referred to as tender Salvias and are good season extenders!

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Annual seed grown Salvias are fabulous garden performers.

Clary sages (salvia) are grown from seed . These Salvias are a Vineyard Gardens favorite. The bracts are prominent making the flower large and exotic looking. Long lasting blooms. It grows at Monticello.

Salvia horminium Blue Monday (a VG favorite)
Salvia horminium Rose Sundae
Salvia patens Patio Sky Blue

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Salvias grown from plugs

Salvia guaranitica Black and Blue

Salvia Indigo Spires: A deep blue. Will still be blooming in your gardens with the asters and mums in fall.
Salvia Amistad (Andrews recommendation)
Salivia Skyscraper Orange
Salvia Skyscraper Pink
Unplugged Pink
Salvia Rockin Deep Purple
Salvia Rockin Blue Suede Shoes
Salvia Rockin Fuschia
Salvia Wendys Wish: A customer favorite. A hot pink flower.
Salvia Love and Wishes: A customer favorite. Antique shade of pink
Salvia leucantha ‘Mexican Sage’: great season extender. Blooms in October.

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Salvias (sage) in the herb house

Salvia elegans ‘Pineapple Sage’ (annual): Elgens means it is tender and will not overwinter. A great season extender. Does especially well when planted in spring or early summer and allowed to reach full size before bloom. A 4” pot of Pineapple sage will reach 4-5 feet tall and wide in one season. It bears beautiful red spiked flowers in late summer and into the fall. It’s foliage smells like pineapple and can be brewed into a tea.

Salvia officinalis or the culinary sages (perennial)

The species and Bergarten are the two most popular ones used for culinary purposes.
Purple Leaf Sage
Golden Sage
Tricolor Sage: An very ornamental sage with purple, pink and white leaves.