Salvia × sylvestris [Sky Blue Marvel] ('Balsalskarv')

RHS Plant Profile

wood sage [Sky Blue Marvel]

Synonyms

Salvia × sylvestris 'Balsalskarv'

Herbaceous Perennial

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A compact, bushy perennial with aromatic mid-green foliage. Erect flower stems of sky-blue flowers appear from summer through to the autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or East–facing or West–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): H7
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage Fruit

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: Trade

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in light, moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. mulch in spring. Best in full sun but can tolerate light partial shade. Drought-tolerant once established. See hardy salvia trial 2022-2024

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring and by semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

deadhead flower spikes as they fade to prolong flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and leafhoppers

Diseases

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