Salvia patens

RHS Plant Profile

gentian sage

Other common names

blue-flowered sage, spreading blue sage

Synonyms

Salvia patens 'Royal Blue'
Salvia horminum 'Oxford Blue'
Salvia patens 'Oxford Blue'
Salvia patens dark blue

Herbaceous Perennial

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An herbaceous perennial to 1m, with ovate to triangular leaves to 20cm in length, and 2-lipped blue flowers 5cm in length, forming a large, open panicle

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

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

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or East–facing
Exposure: 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): H3

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: Correct
Plant Range: Mexico

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in light, moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. Best in full sun but can tolerate light partial shade. See our video How to care for tender salvia for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in pots or by overwintering tubers in damp potting compost. Propagate by rooting basal cuttings or softwood cuttings in spring or early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

Cut back flower spikes as they fade to prolong flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

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