Buy meadow sage Salvia nemorosa 'Schwellenburg'

Salvia nemorosa 'Schwellenburg'

meadow sage

Dense and upright in habit, the grey-green foliage contrasts perfectly with the rose-tinted, purple flowers, which are attractive to butterflies and bees. Also, providing it gets plenty of sun (and it's dead-headed regularly) 'Schwellenburg' will continue to flower over a long period - offering lashings of late summer colour.

How to care for Salvia nemorosa Schwellenburg:

When planting, incorporate compost to improve drainage and fertility, spacing plants 30-45cm (12-18in) apart and watering thoroughly.

To keep the plant blooming throughout the season, promptly remove flower spikes as soon as they begin to fade - this deadheading encourages the plant to produce more flowers rather than putting energy into seed production.

In early spring, apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and provide essential nutrients as it breaks down. Ensure the mulch is spread evenly, but keep it away from the stems to prevent rot.

Regular watering, particularly in dry spells, will help maintain healthy growth, but be careful not to waterlog the soil, as this salvia prefers well-drained conditions.

Flowering period:

Eventual height:

Eventual spread:

0.5m

Position:

Full sun / light shade

Rate of growth:

Fast-growing

Soil:

Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or peat-free general purpose compost

Hardiness:

Fully hardy

This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.