Plant Library

An introduction with purple-red flowers displayed in widely-spaced whorls along dark purple-black stems. The plant maintains an open, airy character with most foliage concentrated low to the ground while flowering stems rise with sparse leafing. The dark stem colour provides strong visual interest even before flowers open.

Exceptionally wind-resistant with sturdy stems that withstand exposure well. Thrives in sun with regular garden conditions. The spaced flower whorls and dark stems create an elegant, architectural effect rather than the dense spikes typical of many salvias. Provides reliable performance with minimal maintenance. Introduced by Free Spirit Nursery.

A gray-leaved sage from the Caucasus region with silvery-gray foliage forming low mounds. Lavender to violet-blue flowers appear on upright stems above the woolly foliage. The gray leaves are densely covered with fine hairs giving them a soft, felted texture.

Requires excellent drainage and performs best in lean soils with full sun. The silvery foliage provides season-long interest even when not flowering. Suitable for gravel gardens, rock gardens, and Mediterranean-style plantings. Drought-tolerant once established. The woolly leaves are deer-resistant.

A robust bushy sage forming substantial clumps with large, deep green, heart-shaped leaves. The entire plant has a notably sticky texture that gives it both its common name and an unusual tactile quality. Yellow flowers feature brown striping on the lower lip and appear in whorled arrangements through summer and autumn.

Creates a lusty, verdant presence in borders with its abundant foliage. The sticky coating can adhere to clothing when brushing against plants. Thrives in sun or light shade with regular moisture. The yellow flowers provide an uncommon colour in the sage genus and combine well with blue and purple perennials.

A rose-pink flowered meadow sage with soft-coloured blooms held in dense terminal spikes. The compact growth habit produces a neat foliage mound with upright flowering stems. The gentle pink shade works well in pastel-themed plantings and cottage garden schemes.

Performs reliably in well-drained average soils with full sun. Regular deadheading encourages continued flowering through summer. The rose-pink colour provides softer tones than typical purple salvias. Aromatic foliage adds sensory interest. Attracts bees and butterflies throughout the flowering season.

A white-flowered meadow sage with clean white flower spikes held on upright stems above aromatic foliage. The compact habit and pure white flowers make it valuable for lighter colour schemes. Plants maintain a tidy mounded form with flowering stems rising vertically.

Grows readily in average, well-drained soils in full sun. The white flowers attract pollinators and provide extended interest through summer with deadheading. Useful in moon gardens, white-themed borders, or as contrast with darker-flowered salvias. Aromatic foliage when brushed or crushed.

A European sage with nodding flower spikes that give it its common name. Blue to violet flowers hang in graceful arching racemes on slender stems. Plants form clumps with basal foliage and upright to arching flowering stems. The nodding flower habit creates a softer effect than rigidly upright salvias.

Grows well in average garden soils with good drainage and full sun. The arching flower spikes add a graceful note to borders. Suitable for naturalistic plantings and cottage gardens. Attracts pollinators throughout the summer months. The nodding habit distinguishes it from most other salvias in cultivation.

A Mediterranean sage with gray-green aromatic foliage and pink to mauve flowers held in whorled spikes. Plants form somewhat woody bases with herbaceous growth above. The flowers appear through summer on upright branching stems. Foliage is notably aromatic when brushed.

Requires excellent drainage and full sun for best performance. Suitable for gravel gardens, Mediterranean-style plantings, and rock gardens. The gray foliage provides good contrast with green-leaved plants. Tolerates drought once established. May be short-lived in heavy or poorly-drained soils.

A tall biennial or short-lived perennial sage with large, wrinkled, aromatic leaves forming substantial basal rosettes. In the flowering year, tall branched stems bear pink-tinged white to pale lilac flowers with showy coloured bracts. The entire plant is notably fragrant with a strong herbal scent.

Often grown as a biennial, flowering in the second year then setting seed and declining. Self-seeds reliably where happy. Prefers well-drained soil in full sun. The large leaves and tall flowering spikes create bold presence. Historically grown for essential oils and medicinal uses. Attracts numerous pollinators.