Annual Salvias: Planting, Sowing, Care
Contents
Annual salvias in a few words
- Annual salvias charm with their simplicity and floribundus nature
- Ornamental, they offer sumptuous spikes in vibrant colours, red, blue or pink
- Not very hardy, they are grown as annuals in most of our regions except in the mild-wintered south
- Easy to grow and low-maintenance, they only require light, well-drained soil to thrive
- They can be grown equally well in borders or containers
Our expert's word
Annual sages are slightly hardy perennial sages in humid and cold climates. This is why they are most often grown as annuals in most of our regions, except in our gardens with mild winters. They grow perfectly in pots to be stored away from winter frosts.
Particularly compact varieties such as Salvia splendens ‘Carambita’ with intense red flowers, to the Salvia ‘Big Blue’, a beautiful blue annual sage with deep blue spikes, including one of the tallest, Salvia involucrata ‘Bethelii’ reaching 1.25m to 1.50m in height and spread, all are prized for their flowering which lasts from spring until the first frosts.
Very floriferous, annual sages are ideal for adorning flower beds and planters from June to October. Unlike common sage, most annual sages have no medicinal virtues and are grown for ornamental purposes.
These tender but generous perennial plants are easy to grow provided they are exposed to the sun sheltered from cold draughts, in a light, well-draining substrate. With little susceptibility to diseases, they require very little maintenance, only fearing frost.
Discover our annual sages and let yourself be seduced by the generosity and beauty of their flowering!
Description and botany
Botanical data
- Latin name Salvia
- Family Lamiaceae
- Common name Sage
- Flowering June to November
- Height 0.20 to 1.50 m
- Exposure Sun, partial shade
- Soil type Light, fresh to dry, well-drained
- Hardiness -5°C
Sages form a large and diverse family comprising between 900 and 1000 perennial, annual, shrubby or biennial species within the Salvia genus. They belong to the Lamiaceae family, like catmints and agastaches, for example. Among them, we find annual sages, which are mostly non-hardy perennial sages. These annual varieties are bushy and distinguished by their abundant flowering and beautiful colour palette. Among them are: clary sage (Salvia horminum), mealycup sage (Salvia farinacea), Salvia leucantha, also called Mexican bush sage, and scarlet sage (Salvia splendens), a natural mutation of pineapple sage. Each has given rise to numerous varieties and hybrids. They originate from subtropical and tropical zones of Mexico, South America, and temperate regions of the globe.
Salvia involucrata botanical plate circa 1850
Annual sages grow quickly to form a beautiful bushy clump with an upright habit, composed of semi-woody quadrangular stems. Generally, the height ranges between 30 and 90 cm in all directions. For example, Salvia splendens ‘Carambita’ is a brand-new variety of particularly compact sage, not exceeding 20 cm in height, while Salvia involucrata ‘Bethelii’ reaches about 1.25 m to 1.50 m.
The opposite leaves are arranged along the entire length of these four-angled stems. In mealycup sages, the stems are covered with a light bloom, while in others, they take on purple to violet hues. The leaves are ovate to lanceolate, or triangular, dentate on the margins and measure about 4 to 12 cm. This herbaceous vegetation is often ribbed and velvety. The foliage is sometimes slightly aromatic, like pineapple sage (Salvia elegans) whose large leaves emit a surprising pineapple fragrance or even blackcurrant (Salvia discolor). They are dark green to light green in colour, sometimes grey-green, covered with white down in mealycup sages. The pineapple sage ‘Golden Delicious’ stands out with golden foliage. The leaves of some annual sages are edible and can be used fresh or frozen to enhance sweet or savoury recipes or even herbal teas.
Left: Salvia farinacea, top right: Salvia leucantha, bottom right: Salvia splendens
Annual sages flower over a very long period, from late spring until frost, sometimes as early as May and until October-November. The first frosts mark their decline. The branches develop floral spikes at their tips. The sages are then covered with abundant flowering at the top of the stems. They have tubular flowers, composed of five petals, which open into two lips, a characteristic of the Lamiaceae family. The lower lip is wider and divided into three lobes. The flowers bloom into a bilabiate corolla 2 to 8 cm long, set in a campanulate calyx, sometimes brightly coloured. This flowering lasting for many months offers varied colours, pastel or very rich, ranging from white to the most incandescent red, through all shades of pink or blue, sometimes reaching violet-purple in Salvia splendens ‘Gogo Purple‘. Some annual sages have bicoloured flowers, like Salvia leucantha which charms with its small white flowers and purple-violet calyxes.
These inflorescences, highly melliferous, have the particularity of attracting many pollinating insects. Some emit a pleasant citrus fragrance. They also make very beautiful cut flowers that last well in a vase.
Main species and varieties
By mixing species and varieties, flowering will be uninterrupted from spring until the first frosts!
Salvia splendens Carambita
- Flowering time August to December
- Height at maturity 20 cm
Salvia involucrata Bethelii
- Flowering time August to December
- Height at maturity 1,30 m
Salvia farinacea Big Blue
- Flowering time August to December
- Height at maturity 50 cm
Salvia elegans Golden Delicious
- Flowering time November, December
- Height at maturity 80 cm
Salvia leucantha
- Flowering time May to November
- Height at maturity 80 cm
Salvia guaranitica Rockin' Fuchsia
- Flowering time August to December
- Height at maturity 80 cm
Salvia farinacea Sallyfun Sky Blue
- Flowering time July to November
- Height at maturity 45 cm
Salvia x spendens Gogo Purple
- Flowering time July to November
- Height at maturity 1 m
Salvia buchananii Love and Wishes
- Flowering time August to November
- Height at maturity 55 cm
Discover other Annual Sage
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Available in 3 sizes
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Available in 3 sizes
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Available in 2 sizes
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Available in 2 sizes
Planting and sowing of annual salvias
Where to Plant Them?
The lack of hardiness is the Achilles’ heel of annual sages. For most, their hardiness does not exceed -5°C, in sheltered positions and in dry soil during winter. Adopting them in colder climates in large pots that can be stored indoors during winter away from severe frosts allows these beautiful sages to be grown throughout France. In milder regions, such as oceanic climates, outdoor cultivation is entirely possible, they can remain in the ground. Some, like mealy sages, can be perennial in mild climates, tolerating frosts down to -6.5 (Zone 9a) /-12°C.
Plant annual sages in full sun north of the Loire or in light shade in our most exposed regions, in rich but well-drained soil. These annual species require rich soil to support their abundant flowering. They thrive in warm, sheltered spots, such as along a south-facing wall if grown in colder regions. They tolerate heat and short periods of drought quite well.
They dislike waterlogged soil in winter, which can lead to root rot.
Their continuous flowering until autumn makes them an excellent choice for quickly brightening up beautiful pots or planters on terraces or balconies. Smaller sages will also form lovely colourful bushes in borders and flower beds, while taller varieties are better suited to the middle or back of beds.
Salvia involucrata ‘Boutin’ (© Leonora Enking)
When to Plant or Sow Annual Sage?
Our annual sages in plugs should be planted after spring frosts or in September-October. Annual species can be sown directly in place in April-May. Earlier sowing in trays during February-March is also possible.
How to Plant Annual Sages?
In the ground
If your soil is clayey, improving drainage is essential before planting our potted annual sages: mix pumice or gravel and compost into the soil, as they cannot tolerate waterlogged conditions in winter. Space plants 30 to 50 cm apart, depending on the species.
- Loosen the soil to the depth of a spade
- Dig a hole 3 to 4 times wider than the root ball
- Add a layer of drainage at the bottom of the planting hole
- Remove the plant from its bucket and position the root ball with the collar level with the soil
- Backfill around the roots with soil, adding compost if desired
- Water thoroughly
In pots or planters
- Add a drainage layer at the bottom of a perforated container (gravel, pumice, or clay pebbles)
- Plant in a mix of compost and garden soil
- Water generously
- Place in a sunny, sheltered spot once all risk of frost has passed
- Water regularly in hot weather and remove saucers
Discover our step-by-step guide to planting annuals!
How to Sow Annual Sages?
Under cover
- Sow annual sage seeds in February and March in trays filled with compost
- Sow on the surface without covering, as they need light to germinate
- Keep at 24°C
- Maintain moisture until germination (10-14 days)
- After a month, prick out seedlings into individual buckets with sandy compost
- Keep in a bright, cool room (15-16°C)
- Water regularly to keep the medium moist but not soggy and fertilise with liquid feed
- Transplant outdoors in May once frost risk has passed
Direct sowing
Alternatively, sow directly in place once the soil has warmed. Add coarse sand if your soil retains water.
- Sow in prepared soil in small groups of 4-5 seeds
- Cover lightly with compost (3 mm)
- Water gently
- Thin to one seedling every 30 cm
- Water young seedlings to ensure establishment
- Mix varieties for colourful displays
Salvia elegans ‘Golden Delicious’ (© KM)
Maintenance, pruning and care
Annual salvias are highly floriferous plants that grow without requiring much care, provided the soil remains perfectly drained and rich in summer. Throughout their growth period, they must not lack food, water, or warmth.
You can water during prolonged dry spells, but without excess, to prevent water stagnation. The soil should never be waterlogged. While regular watering is beneficial in summer to support flowering, it’s better to forget to water once than to overwater. They will tolerate short dry spells fairly well, provided they are watered regularly during intense summer heat.
They only fear frost and simply need protection from the cold. From October-November, in colder regions where they are grown as annual flowers, pull up outdoor plants as they won’t survive heavy frosts. In milder winter regions, spread a dry mulch (dry leaves) around the base to protect them from frost.
Salvia hybrid ‘Mystic Spire’ © KM
In pots
Water regularly, always sparingly, but without letting the growing medium dry out completely between waterings. Never leave standing water in saucers.
Throughout the growth period, add flowering plant fertiliser (such as geranium feed) to the watering every two weeks.
Protect potted plants from frost with bubble wrap in regions where frost is not too severe, or move them to a sheltered spot, in a bright conservatory or lightly heated greenhouse, until spring.
When and how to prune annual salvias
- Remove faded flowers regularly to encourage new flowering. You can also harvest seeds to sow the following spring.
- In February-March, use shears to cut back the clump to 20 cm above the ground and remove dead wood.
Diseases and potential pests
Rarely affected by diseases, annual salvias are mainly susceptible to fungal diseases such as botrytis and powdery mildew, which are encouraged by excess moisture in the soil. In overly wet soil, the roots of the young plant may rot: good drainage is essential to prevent these diseases.
In spring, keep an eye out for slugs and snails, which may feast on the young shoots.
Propagation
Annual sages are tender perennials that can be propagated by cuttings in summer, using semi-hardwood cuttings, under a cloche. To keep them going, we also recommend growing new young plants each year from sowing (follow our advice above).
- From June to August, using secateurs, take non-flowering stems by cutting just below a node
- Remove the lower leaves, keeping only 2 or 3 leaves at the top of the stems
- Plant the cuttings in well-draining seed and potting compost
- Place under a cloche without direct sunlight until rooting occurs, which takes 2-3 months
- Water and ventilate regularly
- Keep the cuttings frost-free in winter, in a bright but unheated room
- Plant out in the ground or in pots the following spring, after the last frosts
Which plants to pair with annual salvias?
With their simple charm, annual salvias easily find their place in the cottage-style borders of a cottage garden. They are commonly found in English cottages and Mediterranean gardens, as these delicate beauties tolerate drought quite well. The blue or white flowering of mealycup sage blends beautifully with roses, hollyhocks, shrubby lavateras, or will highlight the large flowers of peonies in a romantic setting.
Salvia farinacea, hollyhocks, rose ‘Raubritter’, white rose, Lavatera maritima, and peonies
Annual salvias also feature in our summer-flowering perennial borders, where they effortlessly complement the blue summer blooms of perennial geraniums ‘Rozanne’, agastaches, and perennial flax. Their upright spike-like flower stems help lighten compositions. They thrive alongside other colourful flowers such as catmints, rudbeckias, coneflowers, delphiniums, cosmos, or dahlias. You can also plant annual salvias beside lupins and bellflowers. Pair them with the flowering of yarrows or purpletop vervain, for an airy effect, or with simple flowers like scabious and gauras.
Salvia ‘Love and Wishes’ at the bottom left, alongside perennial flax, delphiniums, white bellflowers, agastache ‘Kudos Coral’, and cosmos
The autumn asters (Aster turbinellus, Aster Laevis, Kalimeris mongolica) will accompany annual salvias until summer’s last glow, at the onset of autumn.
Along pathways and borders, compact varieties can be planted among snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum) or small ornamental grasses. Their pairing with grasses is stunning, such as Stipa tenuifolia or miscanthus.
In pots, the smaller red varieties will thrive alongside lobelias, an Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’, and heucheras.
Useful resources
- Discover our wide range of annual sages and our sage collection!
- Our video tips for protecting a non-hardy sage
- Discover our 7 association ideas for creating beautiful summer planters
- Our advice sheet: Blue Sages: The 5 Best Varieties
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