Plant Library

A white-flowered wood sage forming upright clumps with branched stems. The pure white flowers appear in dense terminal spikes, creating clean vertical accents in the border. Foliage is medium green and aromatic when touched. Plants bloom primarily in early summer with potential for rebloom if deadheaded.

Performs well in average, well-drained soils in full sun. Cutting back after initial flowering encourages a second flush. The white flowers provide excellent contrast with blue and purple salvias and work well in moon gardens. Attracts bees and butterflies throughout the flowering period. Also known as Salvia nemorosa 'Snow Hill'.

A long-blooming sage that continues flowering until autumn frosts with regular deadheading. Large violet-blue flowers have an attractive curved shape and open simultaneously in loose whorled clusters. Foliage forms robust, healthy-looking clumps from which flowering stems emerge.

Stems tend to arch outward initially but flower tips redirect upward, maintaining an acceptable appearance without staking. Flowers continuously from early summer through fall if spent blooms are removed regularly. The combination of lush foliage and abundant flowers makes this a valuable border plant. Hardy across a wide temperature range.

A white-flowered form growing more compactly than typical for the species. The two-lipped white flowers appear in whorled arrangements along arching stems that cascade gently at the tips. The rounded habit and cascading stems create a softer effect than rigidly upright salvias.

Suitable for various garden styles from formal borders to cottage gardens and naturalistic plantings. The white flowers attract butterflies and bees throughout the summer months. Deadheading extends the flowering period considerably. Works well in rock gardens or at border edges where the cascading stems can be appreciated.

A popular cultivar selected for its attractive purple-blue flowers and especially for the dark purple-red calyxes that remain ornamental after petals fall. The extended calyx colour significantly lengthens the plant's ornamental period. Responds well to hard cutting after initial flowering, producing a second flush in late summer and early autumn.

Selected by Piet Oudolf and recognized as a Great Plant Pick. Performs best with regular moisture and fertile soil that drains freely. Cutting back to about fifteen centimeters after first bloom encourages the rebloom. The persistent calyxes continue providing colour even between flowering flushes.

An outstanding selection offering similar flower colours to 'Purple Rain' but with taller, more robust stems. Purple-blue flowers are held within dark purple-red calyxes that remain colourful long after petals drop. As autumn approaches, stems develop attractive reddish tones that complement the persistent calyxes.

Selected by noted plantsman Piet Oudolf for superior garden performance. Grows well in enriched soils with good drainage and consistent moisture. The extended calyx colour and autumn stem colouration provide interest beyond typical flowering periods. Hardy and reliable in temperate climates.

A compact perennial sage with deep violet-blue flowers on erect stems rising above a mounded foliage base. The dark flower colour is among the richest blues in the salvia group. Plants bloom from late spring through early summer with potential for continued sporadic flowering if maintained.

Performs best in well-drained soil with full sun and consistent moisture during flowering. May become somewhat floppy in hot, humid climates or rich soils. Cutting back hard if plants deteriorate encourages fresh basal growth. Recognized as Perennial Plant of the Year in 1997. Attracts bees and butterflies. Also known as Salvia nemorosa 'May Night'.

A recent hybrid reaching exceptional heights for the genus. Produces clouds of soft dusty-pink flower spikes on very tall stems through late summer and autumn. The individual spikes arch slightly from upright positions, creating an airy, graceful effect. This cultivar is still being evaluated for long-term garden performance.

Best positioned at the back of deep borders where its height can be fully appreciated. The soft pink colouring differs from the reds and whites common in other burnets. Needs adequate moisture and sunny conditions. Combines naturally with tall ornamental grasses and autumn-flowering perennials.