- Botanical Name
- ‘Purple/Black and Bloom’: Salvia guarantica. ‘Salvatore Blue’, ‘Amethyst’, ‘Blue Hills’, ‘Ostfriesland’, ‘Tanzerin’: S. sylvestris syn. S. nemorosa. Velour: S. leucantha. ‘Oceana Blue’: S. patens.
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Plant Type
- Herbaceous perennial
- Size (HxW)
- ‘Purple/Black and Bloom’: 90-120cm x 90-120cm. ‘Salvatore Blue’: 25-35cm x 15-25cm. Velour: 70-100cm x 70-100cm. ‘Amethyst’: 50-70cm x 30-50cm. ‘Blue Hills’: 30-40cm x 30-40cm. ‘Ostfriesland’: 30-60cm x 30-60cm. ‘Tanzerin’: 60-90cm x 30-60cm. ‘Oceana Blue’: 20-40cm x 20-40cm.
- Depth & Spacing
- Plant at the same level as in the pot with roots spread evenly below soil surface. See above for spacing.
- Soil
- Moderately fertile to humus rich, well drained soil. Tolerant of poor soils.
- Aspect
- Full sun to semi shade
- Climate
- Cool to Sub Tropical
- Frost
- Hardy – but if you are somewhere with hard frost it is best to wait until spring to plant.
- Water
- Water to establish (this takes around four weeks of regular watering) then occasionally if rainfall is low. The flowers will last longer if kept relatively moist during the bloom season, though they will tough out dry conditions once established.
- Fertiliser
- A light application of slow release fertiliser in spring.
- Flowering Time
- Late spring to late autumn
- After Flower Care
- Prune lightly in summer after initial flush, fertilise and you should have a second flush in a few weeks that lasts into autumn. Then cut back after blooming in early spring (before new growth emerges) to encourage perennial tendencies and bushy growth.
- Notes
- Flowers suitable for picking. Divide as required every 2-3 years. The aromatic foliage attracts bees, butterflies and birds.

