Salvias

A SPLASH OF JOY
IN DRY TIMES
NINE
DROUGHT-TOLERANT
SALVIAS
Susana Cerca
mymediterraneangarden.com
CONTENTS
03
Introduction
04 15
Types of Salvias Salvias Compared
06 16
Salvia officinalis Characteristics
"Common Sage"
07 18
Salvia fruticosa Height and Width
"Greek Sage"
19
08 Bloom times
Salvia lavanduliafolia
"Spanish Sage" 21
09 Cold Hardiness
Salvia greggi
23
"Autumn Sage"
Drought Tolerance
10
Salvia microphyla
"Baby Sage"
25
11
Salvia rosmarinus Which Salvia is best
"Rosemary" for you ?
12
Salvia yangii
"Russian Sage"
13
Salvia sclarea
"Clary Sage"
14
Salvia argentea
"Silver Sage"
© My Mediterranean Garden All Rights Reserved

Introduction
The Salvia genus is truly remarkable, with a plethora

of species, commonly referred to as sages, that have
adapted to diverse environmental conditions.
The sheer breadth of their diversity can be

overwhelming, making it challenging to discern the
optimal choices for your garden.
However, I have carefully curated a selection of nine

hardy and drought-tolerant sages for you.
These particular varieties have gained substantial

popularity in gardens due to their exquisite beauty
and minimal maintenance requirements.
Prepare to be captivated as these resilient sages

grace your garden with their enchanting presence,
undeterred by arid conditions, freezing temperatures
or poor soil.
Their enduring charm will elevate your garden to new

heights, infusing it with elegance and attraction.
© My Mediterranean Garden All Rights Reserved 03

TYPES
OF
SALVIAS

The sage plants in this book come from different
corners of the world, but they all share some
incredible qualities.
These robust salvias come in all shapes and sizes.

You'll find foliage ranging from striking silver to rich,
deep green. And the flowers? They bloom in a
delightful array of pinks, violets, blues, reds and
whites.
But there's more! These sages have diverse habits

too. Some stand tall and proud, while others spread
out in charming mounds or creep along the ground.
Plus, there´s an added bonus. These versatile plants

can also be a delightful addition to your culinary
dishes. You can pluck some leaves and use them as
a tasty condiment in your cooking.
I'm positive that with all these options, you'll find a

sage plant that perfectly suits your personal taste,
both aesthetically and in the kitchen.

ORGANIC MAGAZINE
Salvia officinalis
"Common Sage"
Salvia officinalis, commonly called Sage,

Garden sage or Broadleaf sage, is an
upright, bushy, evergreen shrub with a
spreading cushion form.
It has broad grey-green woolly leaves

and dense upright racemes of violet-blue
flowers rising above the foliage.
It can be used as a solitary plant or in a

group being a good choice for beds and borders,
especially along paths to perfume the air when
brushed as you pass by. It looks great in rock or
gravel gardens and can also be planted in pots.
HEIGHT: 30 TO 60 CM (1 TO 2 FT)
WIDTH: 60 TO 90 CM (2 TO 3 FT)
SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN
HARDINESS: -15ºC (5ºF) MORE DETAILS

DROUGHT-TOLERANCE: 5 MO
ORIGIN: MEDITERRANEAN BASIN (BALKAN PENINSULA)

BLOOM:
SPRING X
SUMMER X
AUTUMN
WINTER

ORGANIC MAGAZINE
Salvia fruticosa
"Greek Sage"
Salvia fruticosa commonly called Greek Sage

or Three-lobed Sage, is an upright, bushy,
evergreen shrub with a broad cushion form
and a frosty appearance due to its abundant
hairs.
It has trilobed or simple grey-green leaves and

dense racemes of violet-pink flowers rising above
the foliage.
It can be used as a solitary plant or planted in mass

in beds or borders. It looks lovely in rock or gravel
gardens and can be planted in pots.
It can also be used for seaside gardens because of
its resistance to salty water sprays.
HEIGHT: 40 TO 80 CM (1.3 TO 2.6 FT)
WIDTH: 0.8 TO 1 M (2.6 T TO 3.2 FT)

SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN
ORIGIN: MEDITERRANEAN BASIN (SOUTH EASTERN REGION)

BLOOM:
SPRING X
SUMMER
AUTUMN
WINTER

ORGANIC MAGAZINE
Salvia lavandulifolia
"Spanish Sage"
Salvia lavandulifolia, commonly called Spanish

Sage, is a small, aromatic, evergreen shrub with
narrow grey-green leaves forming a compact
broad cushion.
Well above the foliage are many spikes of tiny
pale violet-blue flowers arranged in whorls around
the stem.
It can be used as a solitary plant or planted in mass.

It can be planted in pots, beds or borders. In rock or
gravel gardens.
Its reclining habit makes it a great ground

cover.
WIDTH: 50 CM (1.6 FT)

SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN

ORIGIN: MEDITERRANEAN BASIN (SPAIN)

BLOOM:
SPRING X
SUMMER X
AUTUMN
WINTER

ORGANIC MAGAZINE
Salvia greggi
"Autumn Sage"
Salvia greggi, commonly called Autumn

Sage or Cherry Sage, is a small semi-
evergreen shrub with a shape that can vary
from upright to mounding.
It has soft, aromatic, green leaves and flowers

borne on terminal racemes that rise above the
foliage and are usually red but can also be pink,
purple, orange or white.
Autumn sage is valued for its long flowering

period, which can go from early spring to late
autumn, and for its evergreen dense foliage.
WIDTH: 40 TO 50 CM (1.3 TO 1.6 FT)

SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN

ORIGIN: TEXAS AND MEXICO
BLOOM:
SPRING X
SUMMER X
AUTUMN X
WINTER

ORGANIC MAGAZINE
Salvia microphylla
"Baby Sage"
Salvia microphylla, commonly called Baby Sage

or Little Leaf Sage, is an aromatic, much-
branched, evergreen shrub with a compact
upright to mounding shape.
It has small oval green leaves and racemes of tiny

bright reddish-pink flowers arranged in pairs or
whorls around the stem. The flower colour can be
different depending on the variety.
A very showy shrub with bright pinkish-red flowers that

catch one´s eye. It has year-round interest with
repeated colourful blooms from Spring to Autumn and
dense green foliage present in all seasons (except
during very cold winters)
HEIGHT: 0.8 TO 1 M (2.6 TO 3.2 FT)
WIDTH: 0.8 TO 1 M (2.6 TO 3.2 FT)

SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN / SEMI-SHADE

ORIGIN: ARIZONA, MEXICO AND GUATEMALA
BLOOM:
SPRING X
SUMMER X
AUTUMN X
WINTER

ORGANIC MAGAZINE
Salvia rosmarinus
"Rosemary"
Salvia rosmarinus, previously known as

Rosmarinus officinalis and commonly called
Rosemary, is a woody evergreen shrub with
needle-like leaves which are green on top and
whitish underneath.
Depending on the cultivar, the flowers can

vary in colour: white, pink, purple and blue.
It may come in various forms, so it can be pruned

into a ball shape, left growing upright or used as a
groundcover in the case of some varieties with a
spreading habit.
HEIGHT: 0.8 TO 1M (2.6 TO 3.2 FT)
WIDTH: 60 TO 80 CM (2 TO 2.6 FT)

SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN

ORIGIN: MEDITERRANEAN BASIN

BLOOM:
SPRING X
SUMMER
AUTUMN X
WINTER

ORGANIC MAGAZINE
Salvia yangii
"Russian Sage"
Salvia yangii, commonly called Russian Sage, was

previously known as Perovskia atriplicifolia. An
aromatic, deciduous shrub with an upright habit.
The wiry silver stems carry finely dissected grey-

green leaves that give the plant a hazy effect.
Tall panicles of violet-blue flowers rise above the
foliage from Summer to Autumn.
It has year-round interest. In Winter, the wiry silver

stems are an incredible sight. In spring, its grey-green
foliage. During Summer and Autumn, its tall panicles
of violet-blue flowers give an airy look to the garden.
HEIGHT: 1 TO 1.2 M (3.2 TO 4 FT)
WIDTH: 0.6 TO 1 MM (2 TO 3.2 FT)

SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN

ORIGIN: SOUTHWEST AND CENTRAL ASIA

BLOOM:
SPRING
SUMMER X
AUTUMN X
WINTER

ORGANIC MAGAZINE
Salvia sclarea
"Clary Sage"
Salvia sclarea, commonly called Clary or Clary

Sage, is an aromatic evergreen herbaceous
perennial or biennial with wide green, oval to heart-
shaped leaves.
Rising above the foliage is a tall many-branched
panicle with whorls of tiny pale blue flowers and
large papery purplish-pink bracts.
The Clary Sage provides height and colour for many weeks.
It has wide green leaves and, emerging from the rosette, a
tall many-branched flower panicle with whorls of pale pink
flowers and purplish-pink bracts along the stems. A bold
plant with year-round interest.
HEIGHT: 1 TO 1.25 M (3.2 TO 4 FT)
WIDTH: 60 TO 80 CM (2 TO 2.6 FT)

SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN

ORIGIN: MEDITERRANEAN BASIN TO CENTRAL ASIA

BLOOM:
SPRING X
SUMMER X
AUTUMN
WINTER

ORGANIC MAGAZINE
Salvia argentea
"Silver Sage"
Salvia argentea, commonly called Silver sage or

Silver clary, is a herbaceous short-lived perennial
or biennial, forming a compact basal rosette of
large silvery woolly leaves.
When in bloom, the rosette is topped with a tall
panicle of small blush-white flowers arranged in
whorls around the stems.
It is a bold plant with year-round interest.
Due to its soft furry leaves that invite people to touch

them, it is an ideal plant for special-purpose gardens for
the blind and for children.
HEIGHT: 60 TO 80 CM (2 TO 2.6 FT)
WIDTH: 60 CM (2 FT)
SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN
HARDINESS: -15ºC (5ºF)

MORE DETAILS
ORIGIN: MEDITERRANEAN BASIN (S. EUROPE AND N. AFRICA)
BLOOM:
SPRING X
SUMMER X
AUTUMN
WINTER

NINE
SALVIAS
COMPARED

Salvia Characteristics compared
Salvias are members of the Mint family (Lamiaceae).

As such, they all have opposite leaves and squared
stems that may become rounded and woody as they
age.
The flowers can have varied shapes but always have

two lips of unequal length. The upper lip can have
different forms, from hooded to more open. The lower
lip is usually spreading. The calyx is also two-lipped.
The flower colours can vary hugely and include blue,

purple, red, pink, orange, yellow and white.
The leaves are pretty varied. They are usually entire

but can be compound, such as in the Greek Sage,
which can have 3 or 5 blades. The shape varies from
linear to lanceolate to oval to broadly elliptic. Their
colour can range from silver to grey-green to mid-
green to dark green.
The size and habit are very diverse and can be either
herbaceous or shrubs.
In the chart, you may see how the different parts of

the selected Salvias compare.

Salvia Height and Width compared
Sages can be herbaceous with tall flower panicles,

such as Salvia argentea or S. sclarea, or shrubs that
can be either mounding, like for example S.officinalis
or upright like S. yanggi.
The height and width of Sage plants can vary from

short (around 50 cm /1.6 ft or less) to quite tall
(around 1.2 m/4 ft or more).
However, the plant size will vary based on the

weather, sun exposure, soil and fertilization. So you
may end up with different sizes than those shown in
the chart.

Salvia Bloom times compared
Sages will bloom in Spring, Summer and Autumn,

depending on the species. Some species bloom more
than once during the year, such as Rosemary,
Autumn Sage and Baby Sage.
Some types start a little earlier than others, and the

duration of the bloom time also varies a little.
Many factors affect flowering, such as temperature,

sunlight availability, and soil fertility; slight variations
may depend on your garden´s environment.
But generally, the bloom times for the nine selected

species in this article are shown on the chart.

Salvia Hardiness Compared
The hardiest Sages from my selection are Salvia

yangii (Russian Sage) , S. officinalis (Common Sage),
S. argentea (Silver Sage) and S. sclarea (Clary Sage)
which can tolerate temperatures down to -15ºC (5ºF).
However, most Sages will be quite hardy if you give

them the right growing conditions, such as well-
drained soil and little or no fertilization. They will only
suffer in very wet and cold winters.
I have selected the cold-hardy types that are also

drought-tolerant because I always try to choose the
plants better adapted to the weather extremes that
we face with climate change.
Nevertheless, some Sages are naturally tougher than

others. Depending on your climate, you may choose
the best ones for your garden based on the hardiness
chart on the next page.

Salvia Drought tolerance compared
Sages are amazingly tough plants that can survive

hot and dry weather for long periods and remain
evergreen with showy blooms.
There are many drought-tolerant Sages, some

incredibly drought-resistant, such as Spanish Sage,
while others are moderately drought-tolerant, like
Baby Sage.
Most of the sages from my selection, have around 4

months of drought resistance.
The chart uses the drought-tolerance code defined by

Olivier Filippi, which I find very useful and have found
to be correct based on my own experience.

Which Salvia is Best for you?
The best Sage varies depending on our preferences
and the environment we find ourselves in.
While we cannot change some conditions, such as

the size and hardiness of the plant, others we can
adjust, like soil and watering.
Steps to choose the best one for you:
Check if the sage is hardy enough for your region

or microclimate. If not, select a different one.
Check if you have poor, well-drained soil. If not,
see if you can adjust it.
Check if the size and shape are appropriate for
the spot you want to plant in your garden.
Check if your climate can support the water needs
for the sage. If not, plan to water it when needed.
If you follow these steps, I'm sure you will find the
right plant for your garden.

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A SPLASH OF JOY

© My Mediterranean Garden All Rights Reserved

The Salvia genus is truly remarkable, with a plethora

The sheer breadth of their diversity can be

However, I have carefully curated a selection of nine

These particular varieties have gained substantial

Prepare to be captivated as these resilient sages

Their enduring charm will elevate your garden to new

© My Mediterranean Garden All Rights Reserved 03

© My Mediterranean Garden All Rights Reserved 15

These robust salvias come in all shapes and sizes.

But there's more! These sages have diverse habits

Plus, there´s an added bonus. These versatile plants

I'm positive that with all these options, you'll find a

© My Mediterranean Garden All Rights Reserved 05

Salvia officinalis, commonly called Sage,

It has broad grey-green woolly leaves

It can be used as a solitary plant or in a

HARDINESS: -15ºC (5ºF) MORE DETAILS

ORIGIN: MEDITERRANEAN BASIN (BALKAN PENINSULA)

© My Mediterranean Garden All Rights Reserved 06

Salvia fruticosa commonly called Greek Sage

It has trilobed or simple grey-green leaves and

It can be used as a solitary plant or planted in mass

HEIGHT: 40 TO 80 CM (1.3 TO 2.6 FT)

WIDTH: 0.8 TO 1 M (2.6 T TO 3.2 FT)

HARDINESS: -10ºC (14ºF) MORE DETAILS

ORIGIN: MEDITERRANEAN BASIN (SOUTH EASTERN REGION)

© My Mediterranean Garden All Rights Reserved 07

Salvia lavandulifolia, commonly called Spanish

It can be used as a solitary plant or planted in mass.

Its reclining habit makes it a great ground

HEIGHT: 20 TO 40 CM (0.6 TO 1.3 FT)

WIDTH: 50 CM (1.6 FT)

HARDINESS: -12ºC (10ºF) MORE DETAILS

ORIGIN: MEDITERRANEAN BASIN (SPAIN)

© My Mediterranean Garden All Rights Reserved 08

Salvia greggi, commonly called Autumn

It has soft, aromatic, green leaves and flowers

Autumn sage is valued for its long flowering

HEIGHT: 40 TO 50 CM (1.3 TO 1.6 FT)

WIDTH: 40 TO 50 CM (1.3 TO 1.6 FT)

HARDINESS: -10ºC (14ºF) MORE DETAILS

ORIGIN: TEXAS AND MEXICO

© My Mediterranean Garden All Rights Reserved 09

Salvia microphylla, commonly called Baby Sage

It has small oval green leaves and racemes of tiny

A very showy shrub with bright pinkish-red flowers that

HEIGHT: 0.8 TO 1 M (2.6 TO 3.2 FT)

WIDTH: 0.8 TO 1 M (2.6 TO 3.2 FT)

HARDINESS: -8ºC (17ºF) MORE DETAILS

ORIGIN: ARIZONA, MEXICO AND GUATEMALA

© My Mediterranean Garden All Rights Reserved 10

Salvia rosmarinus, previously known as

Depending on the cultivar, the flowers can

It may come in various forms, so it can be pruned

HEIGHT: 0.8 TO 1M (2.6 TO 3.2 FT)

WIDTH: 60 TO 80 CM (2 TO 2.6 FT)

HARDINESS: -12ºC (10ºF) MORE DETAILS

ORIGIN: MEDITERRANEAN BASIN

© My Mediterranean Garden All Rights Reserved 11

Salvia yangii, commonly called Russian Sage, was

The wiry silver stems carry finely dissected grey-

It has year-round interest. In Winter, the wiry silver

HEIGHT: 1 TO 1.2 M (3.2 TO 4 FT)

WIDTH: 0.6 TO 1 MM (2 TO 3.2 FT)

HARDINESS: -15ºC (5ºF) MORE DETAILS

ORIGIN: SOUTHWEST AND CENTRAL ASIA

© My Mediterranean Garden All Rights Reserved 12

Salvia sclarea, commonly called Clary or Clary

HEIGHT: 1 TO 1.25 M (3.2 TO 4 FT)

WIDTH: 60 TO 80 CM (2 TO 2.6 FT)

HARDINESS: -15ºC (5ºF) MORE DETAILS

ORIGIN: MEDITERRANEAN BASIN TO CENTRAL ASIA

© My Mediterranean Garden All Rights Reserved 13

Salvia argentea, commonly called Silver sage or