Salvia is one of the most rewarding perennials you can grow, loved for its long flowering season, rich colours and ability to attract bees from early summer into autumn. Its upright spires and aromatic foliage bring movement and structure to borders, making it a favourite for both modern and cottage garden styles. Whether you want deep purples, soft pinks or bright bi colour blooms, there is a salvia for every garden.
Popular varieties include Salvia Caradonna, known for its deep purple stems and compact, upright habit, and Salvia Hot Lips, which produces striking red and white flowers that change with the temperature and light. If you prefer something bold and dramatic, Salvia Amistad offers tall, velvety purple blooms that flower for months. More delicate tones come from varieties such as Salvia Pink Lips or gentle pastel forms that blend beautifully with other summer perennials.
Salvia thrives in full sun and well drained soil, and once established it is remarkably easy to look after. It is drought tolerant, loved by pollinators and responds well to a midsummer trim, which encourages fresh growth and a second flush of flowers. Its neat, tidy habit makes it a brilliant choice for both borders and patio pots.
These long flowering perennials pair beautifully with soft, airy planting. Try mixing Salvia with gaura, nepeta or hardy geraniums for a relaxed, meadow inspired look, or combine them with ornamental grasses for gentle movement and contrast. Salvias also sit well alongside drought tolerant shrubs and Mediterranean style plants, helping to create a warm, colourful display through summer.
For more inspiration, explore our collections of perennials, cottage garden plants, drought tolerant plants and low maintenance plants.
