Items 1 to 30 of 37 total
Items 1 to 30 of 37 total
Salvia
Salvia is the largest genus in the mint family, with over 900 species known worldwide. There are annual, perennial and shrub salvia plants, and it can be easy to get confused between all 3. The plants can be either ornamental, or some varieties like salvia officinalis & salvia rosmarinus (commonly called sage and rosemary) are actually an edible herb or culinary herb.
Ornamental Salvia Varieties - Non-Edible Salvias
Perennial Salvia
Annual Salvia
Edible Salvia Varieties Culinary Sage
About Salvia
Genus
Species
Family
Salvia
Officinalis, splendens, nemorosa, farinacea, greggii, guaranitica, leucantha, microphylla, coccinea, sylvestris
Lamiaceae
Common Names:
Sage
Native To:
North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Plant Type:
Perennials
Foliage Type:
Semi-Evergreen,Deciduous,Herbaceous
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
4 -10
Flower Color:
Flower Bloom Time:
Late spring to fall
Growth Habit:
Clumping, Spreading, Upright, Mounded
Attracts:
Bees, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Tolerates:
Drought, Heat
Resists:
Deer, Rabbits, Voles, Moles, Diseases, Pests
How To Use Salvia In The Garden
Salvia, commonly known as sage, is a diverse genus encompassing over 900 species, each exhibiting unique characteristics. These plants are renowned for their aromatic foliage and extended blooming periods, which can span from late spring to fall. The flowers, arranged in spikes, come in a spectrum of colors including blue, purple, red, pink, and white. Some Salvia species are prized for their culinary and medicinal applications, notably Salvia officinalis, widely used in cooking.
Use their colorful flower spikes to add vertical interest to mixed borders and perennial beds. Certain species, such as Salvia officinalis, offer both ornamental and culinary value and are often added to herb gardens. Additionally, Salvias are effective in attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies, boosting pollination of nearby vegetable and fruit plants.
Salvia Care
Salvia species require well-draining soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Plant them in locations receiving at least six hours of sunlight daily. Water newly planted salvias thoroughly, then provide about 1 inch of water per week during the growing season, adjusting based on rainfall. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to support healthy growth.
Prune salvias by cutting back spent flower spikes to encourage reblooming. In late fall or early spring, trim back faded growth, which tidies the plant and makes room for new growth. For winter care, apply a layer of mulch around the base to protect roots from freezing temperatures. Grow salvias in containers with adequate drainage and enough room for root growth. During winter, move potted salvias indoors or to a sheltered location to prevent frost damage.
Learn More About Salvia
Ornamental Salvia vs Culinary Salvia
All salvia are technically considered ornamental due to the flowers the plants produce. However, some plants offer more benefits than just being ornamental because they are an edible herb and also a medicinal herb. In general, ornamental plants are typically just called salvia or Meadow Sage, where the edible salvia is referred to as just Sage or culinary sage. That is the quick and easy way to tell the difference between the two.
Ornamental Salvia
Ornamental salvia still has a place in the garden. Visitors to your garden and pollinators will thank you for growing it due to the beautiful blooms that really stand out in the hottest summer days. You will also be glad you planted these, because the plants are so easy to grow. Spend your time worrying about other things, rather than taking care of these plants, but still get the benefit of the beautiful flowers! There are 3 main types of ornamental salvia - Annual, Perennial and Woody Shrubs
Annual Salvia vs Perennial Salvia
Annual and perennial salvias are mostly determined by where the plants are cold hardy to. Perennial salvias can grow up to zone 3. While annual salvia are only cold hardy to zone 9 (sometimes zone 8). Woody shrubs are just what you would expect. Those are a little larger than the perennials and typically will bloom on old wood each year (the stems grown the prior year). Perennial salvia are also sometimes known as woody shrubs when the plants get larger, and due to the fact that the plants bloom on old wood (the stems and branches grown from the previous year). Annual salvia will also re-seed after the flowering season, which is how the plants survive year after year.
There are also several hybrid salvia that are bred for better performance, including more drought tolerance, more prolific blooming, hardier plants, and plants that do not spread or seed. In our experience, these are typically ornamental varieties and not edible.
Native Salvias:
There are three distinct regions where the plants can be found natively. Central and South America, the Mediterranean, and Central and Eastern Asia. Salvia can be found natively growing on every continent except for Antarctica and Australia. There are several sages that are native to the United States around the Southwest region, including California, Utah, New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, Oregon & Arizona.
Is Russian Sage a Salvia?
Russian sage (previously known as Perovskia atriplicifolia) is also part of the mint family. Before 2017 it was not considered a salvia, but that was changed and now grouped with the salvia and sage plants. It is now called Salvia yangii. These plants also have a distinct fragrance when you crush or rub the flowers. The difference between russian sage and ornamental salvia is that Russian sage will grow outwards while salvias typically will be more upright growth.
Is Rosemary a Salvia?
In 2019, the Royal Horticultural Society did extensive research and found that the plant was very closely related to Rosemary and sage were categorized separately before this since the plant naming system began in 1753. Rosemary’s scientific name used to be called Rosmarinus officinalis, but now it is officially Salvia rosmarinus. The common names remain the same.
The plant used to be called Rosmarinus officinalis but will now be called Salvia rosmarinus. Its common name of rosemary stays the same.