Salvia officinalis 'Ovalvet'

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A strong, clump-forming perennial to around 60cm in height, forming a mound of soft, velvety, aromatic green foliage with a thin, pale margin. The leaves are larger than traditional sage. Upright stems of pale pink flowers appear from summer to autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or 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

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, well drained soil, in full sun or light dappled shade. Dislikes being in standing water. This variety is not fully hardy so it is advisable to take cuttings and bring the plant in over winter. See our video How to care for tender salvia for more advice

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
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead faded flower spikes to prolong flowering

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