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Annual Biennial

Salvia sclarea var. turkestaniana 'Vatican Pink'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

Turkestan clary 'Vatican Pink'

A biennial or short-lived perennial to 1m tall, with strongly-aromatic, wrinkled, oblong leaves to 20cm long, and tall, branched spires of pink and white flowers with conspicuous lilac bracts, opening in late spring and summer

Other common names
Turkestan clary
Synonyms
Salvia sclarea 'Vatican Pink'
Salvia sclarea var. turkestanica hort.
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Purple Pink White Green
Summer Purple Pink White Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Lamiaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
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

Plant range
Europe, C. Asia

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

Propagation

Propagate by seed, in pots in a cold frame in spring. Alternatively sow in situ in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Often dies after flowering. Do not remove flowers to allow self-seeding

Pests

May be susceptible to sage leafhopper, slugs, snails and rosemary beetle

Diseases

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

Get involved

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