Salvia officinalis 'Robin Hill'

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sage 'Robin Hill'

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An evergreen, bushy sub-shrub with very aromatic grey-green, finely veined leaves which are purple when young, and short spikes of purple-blue lipped flowers in early summer.

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Chalk, 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

Loam Chalk Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–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)
H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
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

Thrives in a sunny spot, in moderately fertile soil with good drainage. Drought tolerant once established. Protect from excess winter wet. See sage cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Gravel garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Garden edging

Pruning

Pruning group 9 in spring. Cut back flower spikes after flowering to keep plants compact

Pests

May be susceptible to rosemary beetle, sage leafhopper and capsid bug

Diseases

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