Salvia nemorosa Sensation Rose - Woodland Sage

The Salvia nemorosa 'Sensation Rose' is a very compact variety of wood sage, which forms wider than tall clumps. It is also distinguished by its light and bright pink flowers, which appear from June to September in very dense spikes, above fragrant green foliage. This perennial excels in windy gardens and withstands drought and sea spray well. Easy to grow everywhere, this plant is one of the hardiest salvias, and as such, a fantastic garden perennial that will not disappoint.

The Salvia nemorosa is a perennial plant of the mint family or labiatae. It is a species native to central Europe and western Asia. 'Sensation Rose' is one of its many cultivars. Its adult size will not exceed 30 cm in height and 40 cm (16in) in width. This perennial develops from a prostrate rosette of oval, rough, dark green leaves with toothed edges. It has a bushy, highly branched and sturdy habit. Flowering takes place from June to September, in terminal clusters composed of numerous small flowers (0.5 to 1 cm (0in)) pale pink, slightly lavender, with purple bracts. This mix of colours is bright and very fresh. The beautiful compact spikes with nectar-rich flowers succeed each other throughout the summer and delight butterflies. The base of the stems is often reddish.

This wood sage has the advantage of blooming until late summer if faded inflorescences are removed. This plant withstands everything, even wind, cold, heat, and poor soils. It will be superb in the company of white-flowered plants such as Chamaemelum nobile 'Plenum', a red rose for a strong contrast, or with grey foliage of artemisias in dry soil, or purple foliage, such as Physocarpus opulifolius 'Lady in Red' in moister soil. It also pairs well with pink-flowered plants such as hastate verbena 'Rosea', shrubby mallow 'Barnsley', or Penstemon 'Evelyn'. It is also perfect for massifs and borders in the company of Perovskia or perennial geraniums. 

With over 900 species of annuals, perennials, and soft-wooded shrubs distributed throughout the globe, except for very cold regions and tropical forests, the genus Salvia is the richest in the mint family. The name Salvia, which dates back to Roman times, derives from the Latin salvus 'healthy' by allusion to the medicinal properties of common sage.