Annual & Biennial Salvias / RHS Plant Guide

Annual and biennial salvias

RHS Genus Guide

Often boldly-coloured, annual salvias are excellent for plugging gaps in summer borders or in large containers with other annuals. Biennials can be taller and are useful for giving height to borders. They’re easily grown from seed in spring and will produce seeds that you can collect and sow for a display in future years.

Botanical name: Salvia

Common name: Painted sage, clary

RHS / Carol Sheppard

Appearance

Often with larger flowers than other types, these salvias produce densely packed spikes in bright red or shades of pink, purple and blue, including pastels. Some flowers combine two colours.

Preferences

Annual and biennial salvias like plenty of sun, with protection from wind.

Dislikes

Will struggle if not given enough room to grow, so check the plant label for expected width and space plants accordingly.

Did you know?

Salvia viridis (annual clary) makes a good cut flower. It's blue, white or pink blooms, with distinctive veined bracts, are borne on sturdy stems that have a long vase life and dry well.

RHS Growing Guide