Salvia nemorosa
Ornamental salvia is a huge class of plants in the world of landscape. There are so many to choose from with different flower shapes, colors, sizes and aesthetics. There is a salvia to fit your needs. Salvia nemorosa, also called woodland sage, is a versatile flowering perennial. It fits into low-water landscapes, cottage gardens, woodland gardens, butterfly gardens, or a simple perennial border. The flowers make wonderful arrangements. The foliage is fragrant, and the plant is deer resistant. The flowers come in a few colors — blue, purple, pink, and white.
Climate
Salvia nemorosa tolerates a huge range of climates. It is hardy from USDA zones 4-9 and tolerates heat, humidity, drought, and frost.
Sun
Despite its common name (woodland sage), it does prefer full sun. Plant it in a spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.
Soil
Again, this plant is very tolerant of a wide range of conditions. It will be fine in a sandy gravel, a clay, or a rich loam.
Water
Salvia nemorosa is drought tolerant. Like most drought tolerant plants, it does need water for a while post-transplant so it can establish roots. It benefits from supplemental water when it is very dry. It will flower more with a little more water, but it doesn’t like to be constantly saturated either. A good regime for drought tolerant varieties like this is to water deeply, letting the surrounding soil dry down between irrigations. Watering this way helps encourage the roots to grow deeper and helps maintain a healthier plant.
Fertilizer
Drought tolerant plants can be salt sensitive, and most fertilizers are made with a variety of salts. Salvia nemorosa is more tolerant than many other drought tolerant species, but that doesn’t mean it likes a lot of fertilizer. This species does better with a once-a-year application of a quality slow-release fertilizer. Side dress the base of the plant with your favorite slow release in the spring after danger of frost has passed.
Pests & Diseases
Salvia nemorosa can get powdery mildew, so it’s best to avoid getting water on the leaves by watering carefully or using a drip irrigation system.
Whitefly and aphids can occasionally bother this plant, but not often. If your plant has some of these pests, an insecticidal soap is a gentle way to get rid of them.
Maintenance
Salvia nemorosa benefits from dead heading, but it isn’t required. Deadheading will encourage more blooms during the spring and summer. To keep the plant looking tidy, after the flowers are done in the fall cut it back to the basal foliage. Very humid climates might find this plant opens up a little bit or looks floppy. The remedy for this is also a trim back to the basal foliage.
It is not common to find a plant that is so tolerant of a wide range of conditions and has such beautiful flowers. It can find a place in almost any type of garden. The bees and butterflies in your yard will thank you for it!
