Salvia
Salvia plants, commonly known as Sage or Garden Sage are a prolific blooming herbaceous perennials. A variety of colors ranging from Red, Blue, White and Pink are available to brighten any pollinator garden or container garden. Once established, many salvia varieties are heat and drought tolerant and bloom even in the exhaustive heat of summer with minimal attention. Salvias are pollinator friendly and attract butterflies and hummingbirds, making them a perfect addition to any Florida landscape.
General Description
Scientific Name: Salvia spp.
Common Names: Salvia, Sage, Garden Sage,
Native Range: Worldwide (Salvia coccinea or Scarlet Salvia is native to Florida)
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial
Zone Hardiness: 5a – 10b *(depending upon species or cultivar)*
Flower Color: Blue, Red, White, or Purple are most common
Mature Height: Average 2 – 4 ft depending upon species or variety
Mature Width: Average 2 – 4ft depending upon species or variety
Plant Traits:
- Pollinator Friendly
- Attracts Butterflies & Hummingbirds
- Drought Tolerant once established
- Deer Resistant
- Prolific flowerers with a long bloom season
General Care & Cultural Requirements
Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Tolerances: Well draining, Sandy Loam to High Organic Matter; Slightly acidic to Slightly alkaline
Salt Tolerances: Mild salt spray tolerance. Extent of salt tolerances is generally unknown and may depend upon species.
Drought Tolerance: Moderate to High once established
Heat Tolerance: Good
Recommended Spacing: 12 – 36″
Trimming: Light pruning / deadheading during flowering season can be done to maintain a dense habit and promote blooms.
Watering: Regularly to establishment and periodically through long droughts
Fertilizing: Balanced slow release fertilizer in spring
Recommended Planting Season: Spring thru Early Summer
Uses in the Landscape
- Pollinator Gardens
- Mass Plantings
- Borders
- Container Gardens
Pests & Diseases
No major pest or disease problems
Notable Varieties & Cultivars
While Salvia coccinea (Scarlet Sage) may be the primary native species in Florida, it can sometimes be tricky to source. That being said there are many note-worthy varieties and cultivars of different species of Salvia on the market that are pollinator friendly and work well on the Emerald Coast and across Florida.
- Salvia ‘Mystic Spires’ (Blue Salvia)
- Grows to 2 – 3ft tall with brilliant, prolific blue blooms. Great heat and drought tolerance once established.
- Salvia splendens x darcyi ‘Roman Red’
- Grows 2 – 3 ft tall with bright red blooms. Dense habit
- Salvia farinacea (Mealycup Sage) – Sallyfun™ Series
- Grows 1 – 2 ft, with abundant showy flowers. Blue and White flowering varieties are commonly available. Hardy as a perennial is zones 8 – 11. Not as drought tolerant as ‘Mystic Spires’. Does very well in container gardens.