Salvia nemorosa Mainacht - Woodland Sage

Salvia nemorosa 'Mainacht' is a variety of wood sage that is particularly early and floriferous, offering beautiful clusters of intense blue-violet flowers in dense spikes appearing from early June, sometimes in May, and continuing on the plant until September. This sage is distinguished by its resistance to wind and spray, as well as its lanceolate, somewhat grey foliage. Easy to grow, it is one of the hardiest salvias, and as such a fantastic garden perennial that will not disappoint.

Salvia nemorosa is a perennial from the Lamiaceae family. It is a species native to central Europe and western Asia. 'Mainacht' is one of its many cultivars. Its adult size will not exceed 60cm (24in) in height and 50cm (20in) in width. This perennial develops from a prostrate rosette of ovate, rough, grey-green leaves with dentate edges that are 10cm (4in) long. It has a bushy, heavily branched, and sturdy habit. Flowering takes place from June to September, in terminal clusters composed of numerous small flowers (0.5 to 1cm (1in)) that are slightly bluish-violet with purple bracts. This blend of colours is bright and deep. The beautiful nectar-rich flower spikes follow one another all summer long and delight butterflies. The leaves, 5 to 10cm (2 to 4in) long, are ovate or lanceolate, oblong, notched, wavy, and greyish-green. The base of the stems is often reddish.

This wood sage has the advantage of flowering first, and it will continue to bloom until late summer if faded inflorescences are removed. It withstands everything, even wind, cold, heat, and poor soils. It will look stunning alongside pale-yellow flowering plants like Anthemis 'Wargrave', or a yellow rose for a strong contrast. It will also work well with grey foliage of artemisias in dry soil, or purple foliage like that of Physocarpus opulifolius 'Lady in Red' in moister soil. It pairs well with pink-flowered plants like the shrubby Lavatera 'Barnsley' or Penstemon 'Evelyn'. It is also perfect for mass plantings and borders with Perovskia or perennial geraniums.  

With over 900 species of annuals, perennials, and woody shrubs distributed throughout the globe, except for very cold regions and tropical forests, the Salvia genus is the richest in the Lamiaceae family. The name Salvia, which dates back to Roman times, derives from the Latin salvus, meaning "healthy", a reference to the medicinal properties of common sage.