Buy salvia Salvia 'Nachtvlinder'

Salvia 'Nachtvlinder'

salvia

Dark plum-purple flowers with a velvety texture bloom from late spring into autumn, attracting bees and other pollinators. This compact, bushy shrub has aromatic mid-green leaves that release a sweet, blackcurrant-like scent when brushed against.

Drought tolerant once established, it thrives in freely draining soil and benefits from a sheltered, sunny position. Regular deadheading encourages continuous flowering, while pruning in spring helps maintain its shape.

Salvia ‘Nachtvlinder’, meaning "night moth" in Dutch, is a magnet for wildlife and has earned the RHS Award of Garden Merit for its reliability and performance. Ideal for borders, containers, or gravel gardens.

How to care for Salvia Nachtvlinder:

When planting, improve drainage by incorporating compost and adding horticultural grit or sand to heavier soils. Space plants 30-45cm (12-18in) apart and water thoroughly.

Deadhead spent flower spikes promptly to encourage continuous blooming. Apply a 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of composted bark or gravel in early spring to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but avoid manure-based mulches, which can be too rich.

Feed with a high-potash fertiliser, such as tomato feed, once growth resumes in spring to promote flowering. Water regularly during dry spells but ensure the soil remains well-drained to prevent root rot.

In colder regions, it may die back, so provide winter protection by applying a dry mulch around the base or lifting and potting up plants to overwinter in a frost-free location.

Flowering period:

Eventual height:

0.75m

Eventual spread:

0.5m

Position:

Full sun

Rate of growth:

Average

Soil:

Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil

Hardiness:

Borderline hardy (will need protection in winter in colder areas)

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