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Herbaceous Perennial

Salvia patens 'Guanajuato'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

gentian sage 'Guanajuato'

A tuberous perennial growing to 1.3m tall, with ovate or triangular leaves to 8cm long, and loose racemes of slightly nodding, gaping, deep blue flowers 8cm long in late summer and autumn

Synonyms
Salvia 'Guanjuato'
Salvia patens 'Southern Lilac'
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Blue Green
Autumn Blue Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
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

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in an open sunny situation in well-drained soil; mulch to help tubers overwinter or lift and store as for dahlia cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in spring or early summer or semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or autumn with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning

Cut back spent flower spikes to prolong flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails, capsid bug, rosemary beetle and leafhoppers

Diseases

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

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