There are so many varieties of Salvia, from the culinary Salvia officinalis (Sage) to decorative favourites such as Salvia ‘Hot Lips’. However, Salvia nemorosa has always been one of my favourites.

 

It grows happily in most soils and is thriving in the sandy soil of my own garden. Its striking blue/purple (or ‘blurple’!) flower spikes create a wonderful display and are also lovely for flower arranging.

 

I have a little personal story attached to this plant, too!

 

During my apprenticeship with Manchester Parks Department, I spent time as part of ‘The Decorating Gang’ at Wythenshawe Park Greenhouses. One of our jobs was providing flower arrangements for the Lord Mayor’s apartment in Manchester Town Hall.

 

Many of the flowers were grown within the park, and I would volunteer to collect them from an area we called ‘Dallimore’s’. Of course, it was also a good excuse for a quick hello with my boyfriend, who was another apprentice. How does it go? ‘Reader, I married him!’

 

Back to the gardening! Salvia nemorosa is a herbaceous perennial that dies back in winter. It thrives in full sun or partial shade, making it suitable for Mediterranean, cottage and courtyard gardens.

 

It is also included on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list, making it a wonderful addition to wildlife-friendly gardens.

 

Growing to around 0.5–1 metre, it works beautifully in the middle of a border, creating a splash of blue or contrasting with yellow and orange flowers.

 

A beautiful, versatile plant with a special place in my gardening memories!

 

Image credits:
Image 1: omaratzi964, Pixabay.
Image 2: Robert Flogaus-Faust, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

 

#PlantOfTheMonth #SalviaNemorosa #GardenDesign #PlantsForPollinators #LandscapeArchitecture