Salvia nemorosa Schneehügel - Woodland Sage

Salvia nemorosa 'Schneehügel', or wood sage 'Schneehügel', is a robust perennial that is easy to grow in all regions. It produces a multitude of flowers throughout the summer. This naturally compact variety bears an abundance of small white flowers, grouped on long spikes. They dominate a clump of very dark green foliage, which is pleasantly aromatic. This hardy, compact, and bright plant is easy to associate in flower beds as well as in flowering pots.

Salvia nemorosa is a perennial of the Lamiaceae family. It is a species native to central Europe and western Asia. The cultivar 'Schneehügel', obtained in Germany, is characterised by a compact, ball-shaped habit and a very long white flowering, which lasts for several months.

It presents itself as a ramified clump, whose adult size will not exceed 50cm (20in) in height when flowering, 35cm (14in) for the foliage, and 40cm (16in) in width. This perennial develops in spring, starting from a prostrate rosette of ovate, rough, very dark green leaves with dentate edges, which are aromatic when crushed. It shows a bushy, very branched and sturdy habit. Flowering begins in May-June and continues until August, depending on the climate, in the form of terminal clusters carrying numerous small white flowers (0.5 to 1cm (1in)), with green bracts. The beautiful flower spikes are rich in nectar and delight bees and butterflies. The vegetation of this sage will persist in winter. Its cold-resistant stump does not fear harsh winters if the soil is properly drained.

Plant the 'Schneehügel' sage in mixed borders, flower beds, or as a standalone plant, alongside heathers, hebes, or anemones, for example. It is an excellent candidate for ornamenting patios and balconies, but also ideal in low-maintenance flower beds. Easy to grow almost everywhere, it is also one of the hardiest sages, and as such, a fantastic garden perennial that will not disappoint. It withstands everything, even wind, cold, heat, and poor soils. This variety is particularly suitable for a white garden, for example, bordering a path, but it easily associates with all types of flowers. It will be superb in the company of pink flowering plants like 'The Fairy' rose, a red rose for a strong contrast ('Knockout'), or with perennial geraniums. It also pairs well with shrubby lavenders, penstemons, and peonies.

With over 900 species of annuals, perennials, and softwood 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, dating back to Roman times, derives from the Latin salvus, meaning "healthy", in reference to the medicinal properties of common sage.