Flowers have an important role in organic gardens. As well as looking pretty, they attract beneficial pollinating insects, including bees and butterflies. Some also attract birds. We profile one of the best: salvia

With hundreds of species and varieties, it’s possible to enjoy salvias in bloom almost all year, especially in warm, frost-free climates.
Salvias are easy to grow and very generous with their blue, purple, red, pink, white or occasionally yellow tubular flowers. Once planted, they’ll quickly become a garden favourite.

The Salvia genus includes one plant well known to productive gardeners. Sage (Salvia officinalis) is a perennial culinary herb grown for its edible leaves. This tough evergreen survives even through cold winters and is a good choice to link the ornamental and productive gardens.
Beyond sage, there’s a host of salvia varieties grown for their attractive, long-lasting spires of flowers. In many, the flower and its calyx are contrasting in colour and often borne on colourful stems.

Among the most popular salvias grown for their contrasting and colourful flowers are ‘Phyllis’s Fancy’, which has white- and blue-tinged flowers with a purple calyx; ‘Hot Lips’, which has bright pink and white flowers; and ‘Waverly’, which has white flowers with a purple calyx. Released in Australia this year is ‘Black & Bloom’, which has a vivid blue flower and almost black calyx and stem.

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Popular in gardens, too, is the long-blooming, purple-flowered Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha), which has white or purple flowers emerging from a purple calyx and soft green-grey leaves. It grows to around 1m high and wide and forms a naturally round shrub.
Many salvias also have highly fragrant foliage that adds another dimension to the garden. Pineapple sage (S. elegans) has red flowers much loved by tiny birds and insects, while its small green leaves have a pineapple scent.

Salvias are mostly herbaceous perennials or small shrubs with square stems and a loose structure. They grow quickly from a small plant or cutting and can form a clump 80cm to 2m high and wide depending on the variety. Some are even taller: S. wagneriana, which flowers from autumn to winter, can reach 3m in height.

There are also salvias grown as spring- and summer-flowering annuals. ‘Bonfire’, which is compact with bright red flowers, is often featured in summer planting schemes in parks and public gardens. For a more subdued annual planting, look for mealy sage (S. farinacea) in either blue or white. This salvia is available in punnets ready to plant in gardens in late winter and spring and is usually grown as an annual.

Common name: Salvia, sage, clary
Botanical name: Salvia spp.
Family: Lamiaceae (mint family)
Aspect & soil: Full sun to light shade; most soils
Best climate: All
Habit: Perennial
Propagation: Cutting, division, potted plants
Difficulty: Easy

Australian varieties

Salvia is not native to Australia but there are varieties that originated in this part of the world and were discovered in Australian gardens.
‘Wendy’s Wish’ is magenta pink with a darker calyx and stem. It was found in the garden of Wendy Smith in Rosebud, Victoria. Wendy, a salvia enthusiast, recognised its garden potential, propagated it and her variety is now grown in gardens across Australia. A portion of its sale goes to support the children’s charity Make-a-Wish Australia, which grants wishes to children with terminal illnesses. There are now two other Australian salvias helping to raise money for Make-a-Wish, both also incorporating the word “wish” in their variety name. ‘Ember’s Wish’ has coral and red flowers and was named in memory of siblings Emma and Brett Shegog, who died from a rare genetic condition. ‘Love and Wishes’ is the most recent release of the three “wish” salvias and has deep purple flowers. All three grow well if planted together. Each grows to around 80cm high and wide.

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Get growing

Salvias love heat and warmth so grow best with warm summers and autumns and mild winters and springs. They thrive in warm, humid zones as well as in drier climates. They are an ideal choice for hot, sunny spots and once established need little additional watering, although plants grow better with a deep soak during dry times. In warm, sunny climates, salvias tolerate light shade, especially in the afternoon. In cold winter climates, salvias need frost protection. Although most salvias thrive in a dry spot, S. uliginosa, which has spires of bright blue flowers, loves wet soil. Known as bog sage, it grows in a damp spot, spreads via underground runners and is tolerant of both hot and cold conditions.
As salvias are highly attractive to bees and other insects, it is vital they are grown without the use of pesticides. Even organic pesticides can damage beneficial insects, so they should be avoided on plants that attract such insects. The good news is that, as salvias are usually free of pests and diseases, there’s little need to reach for any chemical.
Salvias are sold as potted plants at garden centres through most of the year but can also be grown from cuttings taken from spring to autumn or by dividing established clumps in early spring. They grow best in garden beds rather than in containers. However, compact forms of mealy sage including ‘Victoria Blue’ are suited to pots or troughs. They can also be used to edge flowerbeds or can be planted in the vegetable garden or orchard to attract beneficial insects.
Most salvias can be managed by pruning to control size and encourage flushes of flowers. Cut back herbaceous forms — those that die back, usually through winter — to near ground level in winter or as flowering finishes.
Evergreen varieties can be pruned by about a third in early spring before growth and flowering resumes. All salvias can also be pruned during summer to keep the plants compact or to encourage a new flush of flowers. Fertilise in spring with organic plant food.
Salvias suit cottage gardens or mixed-flower borders and look striking massed together or planted with ornamental grasses, dahlias and roses. As they are fast-growing and trouble-free, they are ideal plants for new gardens. They are also excellent in water-wise gardens.