Salvia involucrata 'Bethellii'

RHS Plant Profile
rosy-leaf sage 'Bethellii'

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rosy-leaf sage 'Bethellii' RHS 1999

Synonyms

Salvia bethellii hort.

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Herbaceous Perennial
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A woody-based perennial with ovate, hairy leaves and dense terminal spikes of tubular purplish-red flowers opening from pink bracts in summer and autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
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

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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 light, moderately fertile well drained soil in full sun or light dappled shade with shelter from cold, drying winds. Protect with a dry winter mulch. See our video How to care for tender salvia for more advice

Propagation

Softwood cuttings at any time of year as long as suitable growth is available. Divide established clumps in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

Cut back spent flower spikes to prolong flowering

Pests

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

Diseases

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