Salvia 'Skylark'

RHS Plant Profile
sage 'Skylark'

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Synonyms

Salvia Phoenix blue

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Herbaceous Perennial
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A large, upright perennial, usually grown as an annual, to around 120cm in height, with oval-shaped, vigorous, aromatic fresh green leaves. Candelabra-like spikes of airy, branched flower stems holding tubular, dark purple-blue flowers appear from summer through to the autumn, followed by attractive flower and seed heads. Would suit larger gardens

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–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)
H6

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
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in light, moderately fertile, moist but well drained soil, in full sun or light dappled shade. Protect from excessive winter wet

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring, by basal or softwood cuttings in spring or early summer, or by semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer or autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 9 in spring; cut back spent flower spikes to prolong flowering. Flowers and seedheads may be left to provide interest over winter

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

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