Salvia

Flowers are tubular, opening to a distinctive upper and lower lip. They are borne on dense flower spikes or more sparsely on wiry stems. Plants vary in size from compact (20cm) bedding types to tall (2m) border types and most have aromatic leaves.

Garden salvias mainly originate from the Mediterranean and the Americas so like light, free-draining soil and a sunny position.

Salvias dislike wet, heavy soils and will grow and flower poorly in shade.

Salvia is an RHS Plant for Pollinators; the flowers of the herb sage are particularly popular with bees.