© RHS / Carol Sheppard

Introducing...

Long-lived border salvias

Botanical name: Salvia

Flowering throughout summer and into autumn, these perennials provide pops of colour in sunny borders. Long-lived border salvias come back year after year, they are easy to grow and are a favourite of bees.

Looks

Long-lived border salvias are either shrubs, like Salvia microphylla, or herbaceous perennials, like Salvia nemorosa. They’re upright plants with flower spikes that rise above mounds of foliage.

Likes

Perennial salvias prefer free-draining soil, but can be worth trying on heavier soil in a sunny location.

Dislikes

Cold, drying winds can damage soft foliage in early spring. They dislike very wet soil and all but Salvia glutinosa dislike shade.

Did you know?

These salvias respond well to regular deadheading, producing a succession of flowers over several weeks.

Growing guide

Long-lived border salvia we recommend

Chelsea chop

Chelsea chop

Cutting back perennials

Cutting back perennials

Perennial borders: choosing plants

Perennial borders: choosing plants

Salvia cuttings

Salvia cuttings

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