Salvia splendens 'Van-Houttei'

RHS Plant Profile

scarlet-flowered sage 'Van-Houttei'

Synonyms

Salvia 'Van-Houttei'

Annual Biennial

A tender, erect perennial which is treated as an annual, with ovate leaves and dark red stems bearing inflorescences to 25cm in length, with spaced whorls of scarlet flowers from purple calyces, in late summer and autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1C

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Salvia can be annuals, biennials, herbaceous or evergreen perennials, or shrubs. They have paired, simple or pinnately lobed, often aromatic leaves and 2-lipped flowers in whorls, forming simple or branched spikes or racemes
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained, soil in full sun. Pinch out young growth to encourage bushiness. Water in dry weather. See our video How to care for tender salvia for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 15-18°C in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Mediterranean climate plants
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slug damage on young growth

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots