Salvia Feathers Peacock ('Bocofpea')

RHS Plant Profile

sage [Feathers Peacock]

RHS

Synonyms

Salvia 'Bocofpea'

Herbaceous Perennial

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An upright, clump-forming deciduous hardy perennial with dark green, oval, incised, aromatic leaves and large spikes of lavender-blue flowers which appear from early to late summer then produce another flush of flowers in the autumn

Position

Full sun

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

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): H3
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy, 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 moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun, although this variety will tolerate a little shade. See our video How to care for tender salvia for more advice This plant was included in the RHS hardy Salvia trial 2022-2024 https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/trials-awards/plant-trial-results/hardy-salvia

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in spring or semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

Cut back flower spikes to prolong flowering period

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and glasshouse leafhopper

Diseases

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