Salvia, Perennial (Salvia spp.)

Salvia, Perennial Plant Features

If you're looking for ways to add bright color to your landscape, perennial salvia can't be beat. Perennial salvia, also known as sage, comes in a variety of colors including blue, lavender, red, and white. There's a host of varieties, each one with its own zone of hardiness, but they all have one thing in common--they are gorgeous! Most forms of perennial salvia can be counted on to produce tall spikes of nectar-rich blooms favored by butterflies and hummingbirds. Perennial salvias thrive in hot weather and are relatively drought and disease resistant. Heights vary by variety, but most grow between 18 and 36 inches tall. Perennial salvia is deer resistant. Hardy from zone 4 to 10 depending on variety.

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Plant perennial salvia in a location that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun a day. These easy-care perennials aren't too fussy about soil type, but prefer a rich, well-drained location. Some varieties will re-bloom if you shear them back after the flowers fade.

Perennial salvia is not recommended for human or animal consumption.

Water

Medium water needs
Light

Outside: Sun
Colors

Blue

Purple

Red

White
Special Features

Attracts butterflies

Attracts hummingbirds

Deer/rabbit resistant

Complement your Plant

Black-Eyed Susan

The yellow flowers of Black-Eyed Susan look wonderful planted near Perennial Salvia.

Coreopsis

Coreopsis and Perennial Salvia are an will add zest to any garden border.

Daylily

Daylily and Perennial Salvia are a reliable team.

Our favorite varieties

Arctic Blaze Red

Salvia 'Arctic Blaze Red'

A hummingbird magnet, Arctic Blaze Red was a top performer in our South Carolina Trial Garden where it showed off a long bloom season and great disease resistance. It grows 24 inches tall and 36 inches wide. Zones 6-10

Bicolor Sage

Salvia sinaloensis

Bicolor sage is a delightful perennial hardy in Zones 8-11 that features intense blue flowers over purple-flushed leaves. It flowers all summer long and grows 6 inches tall and 18 inches wide.

Blue Marvel

Salvia nemorosa 'Blue Marvel'

Blue Marvel is a striking variety that shows off large violet-blue flowers from late spring to early autumn if deadheaded. It grows 14 inches tall and wide. Zones 4-9

Bordeau Steel Blue

Salvia Bordeau Steel Blue

Bordeau Steel Blue salvia is an early-flowering variety with icy, lavender-blue flowers in spring and early summer. It grows 20 inches tall and wide. Zones 4-8

East Friesland

Salvia nemorosa 'East Friesland'

The vivid, blue-purple flower spikes of ‘East Friesland’ perennial salvia appear in early summer atop mounds of pretty gray-green foliage. This classic variety grows 18 inches tall and often reblooms in late summer if the spent flowers are removed. Zones 4-9

Eveline

Salvia 'Eveline'

Attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds, ‘Eveline’ perennial salvia develops spectacular pink and purple flowers from mid-spring to early summer. This beautiful variety grows 20 inches tall. Zones 4-9

Heatwave Blaze

Salvia 'Heatwave Blaze'

Ablaze with color, Heatwave Blaze produces lots of bright red flowers all summer and into autumn. It attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, but is deer and rabbit resistant. It grows 3 feet tall and wide. Zones 6-9

Heatwave Glitter

Salvia 'Heatwave Glitter'

An easy-care perennial for sun, Heatwave Glitter blooms for weeks with lovely lavender-pink blooms that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. It grows 3 feet tall and wide. Zones 6-9

Hot Lips

Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips'

Enjoy graceful sprays of two-toned, red and white flowers all summer with ‘Hot Lips’ perennial salvia. It’s heat and drought resistant and prized by hummingbirds. Zones 8-10

Furman's Red

Salvia greggii 'Furman's Red'

A stunner in the garden, this variety bears bright red flowers in late spring and early autumn. It grows 36 inches tall and 18 inches wide. Zones 6-10

Hypnotic Blue

Salvia 'Hypnotic Blue'

A top performer in our perennial Trial Garden (in South Carolina), Hypnotic Blue has a long bloom season, tidy plant shape, and loads of flowers. It grows 14 inches tall and wide. Zones 5-9

Marcus

Salvia nemorosa 'Marcus'

Growing just 10 inches tall, ‘Marcus’ perennial salvia works well in the front of the border or in containers. It shoots up pure violet flower spikes throughout the summer. Zones 4-8

May Night

Salvia sylvestris 'May Night'

An award-winning perennial, ‘May Night’ salvia never fails to produce gorgeous spikes of violet-blue flowers in the late spring and early summer. Growing 18 to 24 inches tall ‘May Night’ makes a great companion for yellow daylilies and white Shasta daisies. Zones 4-9

Sallyrosa April Night

Salvia 'Sallyrosa ‘April Night’

Get the jump on your spring garden with this early-blooming perennial salvia -- it blooms a month earlier than most other varieties. It has a nice upright growth habit and grows 12 to 14 inches tall. Zones 5-9

Salute Deep blue

Salvia 'Salute Deep Blue'

Salute Deep Blue salvia shows off violet-blue flowers in late spring and early summer. The plant grows 12 inches tall and 16 inches wide. Zones 5-9

Sensation Rose

Salvia nemorosa 'Sensation Rose'

A terrific addition to any garden or container, ‘Sensation Rose’ perennial salvia develops masses of bright pink flowers that sit atop soft, gray-green foliage. This compact variety grows 12 inches tall and blooms from early summer to fall. Zones 4-9