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Salvia patens

RHS Plant Profile
gentian sage

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gentian sage visionspictures.com
gentian sage visionspictures.com

Other common names

blue-flowered sage, spreading blue sage

Synonyms

Salvia patens 'Royal Blue'
Salvia horminum 'Oxford Blue'
Salvia patens 'Oxford Blue'
Salvia patens dark blue

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Herbaceous Perennial
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An herbaceous perennial to 1m, with ovate to triangular leaves to 20cm in length, and 2-lipped blue flowers 5cm in length, forming a large, open panicle

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Salvia can be annuals, biennials, herbaceous or evergreen perennials, or shrubs. They have paired, simple or pinnately lobed, often aromatic leaves and 2-lipped flowers in whorls, forming simple or branched spikes or racemes
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Mexico

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in light, moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. Best in full sun but can tolerate light partial shade. See our video for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in pots or by overwintering tubers in damp potting compost. Propagate by rooting basal cuttings or softwood cuttings in spring or early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Bedding

Pruning

Cut back flower spikes as they fade to prolong flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots