Salvia

Hardy salvias are best planted in spring, once the soil has begun to warm, although many can also be planted in early autumn. Tender salvias should usually be planted out after the risk of frost has passed. Good drainage is especially important, particularly if salvias are going to remain in the ground through winter.

Many salvias are perennial and return year after year, but the genus includes hardy, half-hardy and tender types as well as annual and biennial forms. Hardy border salvias such as Salvia nemorosa can overwinter outdoors in much of the UK, while more tender varieties may need protection from frost.

Many salvias flower for a long period from early or midsummer into autumn, depending on the variety. Some hardy border salvias produce an early flush and can flower again later in the season if cut back after their first display. This long flowering period is one of the reasons salvias are so useful in mixed borders.

The right time depends on the type. Herbaceous salvias can be cut back after their first flowering to encourage fresh growth and another flush of blooms, while shrubby salvias are generally pruned in spring once new growth is visible. In colder or exposed gardens, leaving old stems in place over winter can help protect the crown.

After the first flush of flowers fades, cut hardy herbaceous salvias back to encourage fresh foliage and a second display later in summer. Regular deadheading can also help keep other types flowering for longer. Plants growing in containers may benefit from occasional feeding during the growing season.

Some salvias are fully hardy in much of the UK, while others need winter protection. Hardy herbaceous types such as Salvia nemorosa are generally reliable outdoors, whereas tender varieties can be damaged or killed by frost. Even hardy salvias benefit from free-draining soil, as cold, wet conditions can be more damaging than low temperatures alone.

Yes. Salvias grow very well in pots and containers, especially where garden soil is heavy or drainage is poor. Use a free-draining peat-free compost and make sure the container has good drainage holes. Pots are also useful for tender salvias because plants can be moved somewhere protected during winter.

Many salvias are drought tolerant once established, particularly shrubby and Mediterranean-type varieties grown in well-drained soil. Newly planted salvias still need regular watering while their roots establish, and container-grown plants will dry out more quickly than those growing in the ground.

Yes. Salvias are excellent plants for bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects, thanks to their nectar-rich tubular flowers and long flowering season. Planting several varieties with overlapping bloom times can help provide a reliable source of food from summer well into autumn.