Plant field guide
Salvia (Perennial)
Upright flower spikes in vivid colors. 'May Night' and 'Caradonna' are top-performing cultivars. Exceptional pollinator plant.
Growing requirements
- Scientific name
- Salvia nemorosa
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- low
- Height
- 18 in (46 cm) – 30 in (76 cm)
- Spread
- 18 in (46 cm) – 24 in (61 cm)
- Spacing
- 18 in (46 cm)
- Hardiness zones & minimum temperature
- USDA 3–8; average annual extreme minimum from -40°F (-40.0°C). Hardiness does not predict local frost dates.
- Difficulty
- easy
Planting & seasonal timing
Northern Hemisphere planting months: not yet verified in our database.
Northern Hemisphere pruning months: July.
For the Southern Hemisphere, these seasonal windows shift approximately six months. Check your local frost forecast, soil temperature, and species requirements; calendar months are not a guarantee of planting safety.
Deadhead for continuous bloom. Very drought tolerant once established. Deer and rabbit resistant. Long-lived perennial.
Pruning
Cut back spent flower stalks to basal foliage for strong rebloom. Cut to ground in late fall.
Fertilizer
None needed
Light feeding in spring if desired
Mulch
2 inches of organic mulch.