Unpack bare roots or rhizomes on arrival and plant them within a week. Until then, keep them somewhere cool and ensure the roots remain slightly moist, never wet.
No planting scheme should be complete without some long-flowering, aromatic ornamental sage like Salvia 'Madeline'. Vibrant blue blooms in a border both contrasts with and tones down the hot colours of midsummer, or blends beautifully with a soothing pastel scheme if that's more your style. The nectar-rich bicolour blooms of purple-blue and white provide a colour pop which lasts through the summer season, as well as bounty for bees and butterflies. To top it off, you'll catch the occasional cloud of fragrance from the leaves of Salvia pratensis 'Madeline', particularly on a warm day.
Resilience to hot and dry summer conditions is one great thing and makes this a reliable choice for a low-maintenance or sun-baked planting area. And, for the cold season, you'll be pleased to hear that Salvia 'Madeline' is fairly hardy, tolerating temperatures down to around -10°C. You can leave the stems and foliage of this bi-coloured sage intact over winter to offer extra protection if it's likely to get colder than that.
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Remove the packaging straight away, check the compost and water thoroughly if dry. Check the plant’s hardiness before placing it outdoors. Plant into a border or permanent container within a month, choosing the position recommended for the variety. Keep the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil, firm gently and water well.
Soak the roots in water for three to six hours immediately before planting. Keep any crown, buds or emerging shoots above the water where possible.
Pot most bare roots into 15–20cm pots filled with peat-free multipurpose compost. Large or depth-sensitive roots, including peonies, are often best planted directly into borders.
Arrange the roots naturally without bending them. Cover the roots completely, positioning the crown and buds at the depth recommended for that particular perennial.
Keep pots in a sheltered outdoor position and water whenever the compost begins to dry. Grow on until roots hold the compost together when lifted from the pot.
Plant into a suitable border or permanent container once well rooted. Add a label and water regularly throughout the first growing season while the perennial establishes.
- Botanical name
- Salvia pratensis 'Madeline'ᴾᴮᴿ
- Flower colour
- Purple, white
- Established height
- 50cm-1m
- Established spread
- 20-30cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Clump-forming
Upright - Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- Yes
- Plant size
- 1
- Plant spacing
- 6 plants per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- Yes
- Position
-
Sheltered
Exposed - Rabbit resistant
- Yes
- RHS Award (AGM)
- Yes
- Scented
- Yes
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
- Free draining
- Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Stony
Multipurpose compost
Loam-based compost - Suitable for
-
Pots
Large containers
Borders
Gravel gardens
Wildlife gardens
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens - Sunlight
- Full sun
- Toxicity
- No report
- Years to establish
- 1-2 years
Salvia 'Madeline' reviews
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choice to delivery
Our horticulturalists prepare every bulb and plant with the utmost care. From selection to packing, each one receives expert attention before beginning its journey to your garden.