Perennial
Woodland sage
Salvia nemorosa
A hardy clump-forming perennial with upright flower spikes through summer. It performs best in sun and well-drained soil, then needs little water or maintenance once established.
- Size
- 0.5–1 m high · 0.1–0.5 m wideVaries by cultivar
- Light
- Full sun / Partial shade
- Water
- Low
- Winter
- Very hardy
- Seasonal form
- Dies back
- Maintenance
- Low
Before planting
- Choose a sunny, freely drained position; persistent wet is more damaging than short dry periods.
- Check the cultivar because final height and flower colour vary noticeably.
Why choose it
- Provides a long display of upright flowers that attracts pollinators.
- The vertical flower spikes contrast well with grasses and rounded border plants.
Care
- Water during establishment, then avoid frequent watering in ordinary garden soil.
- Remove spent flower spikes to encourage a tidier clump and possible repeat flowering.
- Cut old growth back before new shoots develop in spring.