Annual Salvias: Planting, Sowing, and Care
Contents
Annual salvias in a nutshell
- Annual salvias charm with their simplicity and floribundus nature
- Ornamental, they produce magnificent spikes in vibrant shades of red, blue or pink
- Not very hardy, they’re grown as annuals in most of our regions except in the mild-wintered south
- Easy to grow and low-maintenance, they only require light, well-drained soil to thrive
- They grow equally well in borders or containers
Our expert's word
Annual sages are tender perennial sages in damp and cold climates. This is why they are most often grown as annuals in the majority of our regions, except in gardens with mild winters. They grow perfectly in pots that can be moved to shelter from winter frosts.
Particularly compact varieties like Salvia splendens ‘Carambita’ with intense red flowers, to the Salvia ‘Big Blue’, a beautiful blue annual sage with deep blue spikes, and one of the tallest, Salvia involucrata ‘Bethelii’ reaching 1.25m to 1.50m in height and spread, all are prized for their flowering which lasts from spring until the first frosts.
Highly floriferous, annual sages are ideal for brightening up borders and containers from June to October. Unlike common sage, most annual sages have no medicinal properties and are grown for ornamental purposes.
These tender but generous perennial plants are easy to grow provided they are placed in a sunny spot sheltered from cold draughts, in a light, well-draining substrate. With good disease resistance, they require very little maintenance, only fearing frost.
Discover our range of annual sages and let yourself be charmed by their generous and beautiful flowering!
Description and botany
Botanical data
- Latin name Salvia
- Family Lamiaceae
- Common name Sage
- Flowering June to November
- Height 0.20 to 1.50 m
- Sun exposure Sun, partial shade
- Soil type Light, fresh to dry, well-drained
- Hardiness -5°C
Sages form a large and highly diverse family comprising between 900 and 1000 perennial, annual, shrubby or biennial species within the Salvia genus. They belong to the Lamiaceae family, like catmints and agastaches, for example. Among them, we find annual sages, which are mostly non-hardy perennial sages. These annual varieties are bushy and distinguished by their abundant flowering and beautiful colour palette. Among them are: clary sage (Salvia horminum), mealycup sage (Salvia farinacea), Salvia leucantha, also called Mexican bush sage, and scarlet sage (Salvia splendens), a natural mutation of pineapple sage. Each has given rise to numerous varieties and hybrids. They originate from subtropical and tropical zones of Mexico, South America, and temperate regions worldwide.
Salvia involucrata botanical plate circa 1850
Annual sages grow quickly to form a beautiful bushy clump with an upright habit, composed of semi-woody quadrangular stems. Generally, the height ranges between 30 and 90 cm in all directions. For example, Salvia splendens ‘Carambita’ is a brand-new variety of particularly compact sage, not exceeding 20 cm in height, while Salvia involucrata ‘Bethelii’ reaches about 1.25 m to 1.50 m.
The opposite leaves are arranged along the entire length of these four-angled stems. In mealycup sages, the stems are covered with a light bloom, while in others, they take on purple to violet hues. The leaves are ovate to lanceolate, or triangular, with toothed margins and measure approximately 4 to 12 cm. This herbaceous foliage is often quilted and velvety. The foliage is sometimes slightly aromatic, like pineapple sage (Salvia elegans) whose large leaves emit a surprising pineapple fragrance or even blackcurrant (Salvia discolor). They are dark green to light green in colour, sometimes grey-green, covered with white down in mealycup sages. The pineapple sage ‘Golden Delicious’ stands out with its golden foliage. The leaves of some annual sages are edible and can be used fresh or frozen to enhance sweet or savoury recipes or even herbal teas.
Left: Salvia farinacea, top right: Salvia leucantha, bottom right: Salvia splendens
Annual sages flower over a very long period, from late spring until frost, sometimes as early as May and until October-November. The first frosts mark their decline. The stems develop floral spikes at their tips. The sages then become covered with abundant flowering at the top of the stems. They have tubular flowers, composed of five petals, which open into two lips, a characteristic of the Lamiaceae family. The lower lip is wider and divided into three lobes. The flowers bloom into a bilabiate corolla 2 to 8 cm long, set in a campanulate calyx, sometimes brightly coloured. This flowering over many months offers varied colours, pastel or very rich, ranging from white to the most incandescent red, through all shades of pink or blue, sometimes reaching violet-purple in Salvia splendens ‘Gogo Purple‘. Some annual sages feature bicoloured flowers, like Salvia leucantha, which charms with its small white flowers and purple-violet calyxes.
These inflorescences, highly melliferous, have the particularity of attracting many pollinating insects. Some emit a pleasant citrus fragrance. They also make excellent cut flowers that last well in vases.
Main species and varieties
By mixing species and varieties, flowering will be uninterrupted from spring until the first frosts!
Salvia splendens Carambita
- Flowering time August to December
- Height at maturity 20 cm
Salvia involucrata Bethelii
- Flowering time August to December
- Height at maturity 1,30 m
Salvia farinacea Big Blue
- Flowering time August to December
- Height at maturity 50 cm
Salvia elegans Golden Delicious
- Flowering time November, December
- Height at maturity 80 cm
Salvia leucantha
- Flowering time May to November
- Height at maturity 80 cm
Salvia guaranitica Rockin' Fuchsia
- Flowering time August to December
- Height at maturity 80 cm
Salvia farinacea Sallyfun Sky Blue
- Flowering time July to November
- Height at maturity 45 cm
Salvia x spendens Gogo Purple
- Flowering time July to November
- Height at maturity 1 m
Salvia buchananii Love and Wishes
- Flowering time August to November
- Height at maturity 55 cm
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Planting and sowing annual salvias
Where to Plant Them?
The lack of hardiness is the Achilles’ heel of annual sages. For most, their hardiness does not exceed -5°C, in sheltered positions and in dry soil during winter. In colder climates, growing them in large pots that can be stored indoors during winter allows these beautiful sages to be cultivated throughout France. In milder regions, such as oceanic climates, outdoor cultivation is entirely possible, and they can remain in the ground. Some, like mealy sages, can be perennial in mild climates, tolerating frosts down to -6.5°C (Zone 9a) / -12°C.
Plant annual sages in full sun north of the Loire or in light shade in more exposed regions, in rich but well-drained soil. These annual species need fertile soil to support their abundant flowering. They thrive in warm, sheltered spots, such as along a south-facing wall in colder regions. They tolerate heat and short dry spells well.
They dislike waterlogged soil in winter, which can cause root rot.
Their continuous flowering until autumn makes them an excellent choice for quickly brightening up pots or planters on patios or balconies. Smaller sages also form lovely colourful bushes in borders and flower beds, while taller varieties are best placed in the middle or back of beds.
Salvia involucrata ‘Boutin’ (© Leonora Enking)
When to Plant or Sow Annual Sage?
Our potted annual sages can be planted after spring frosts or in September-October. Annual species can be sown directly in place in April-May. Earlier sowing in trays in February-March is also possible.
How to Plant Annual Sages?
In the ground
If your soil is clay-heavy, improving drainage is essential before planting potted annual sages: mix pumice or gravel and compost into the soil, as they cannot tolerate waterlogged conditions in winter. Space plants 30–50 cm apart, depending on the species.
- Loosen the soil to a spade’s depth
- Dig a hole 3–4 times wider than the root ball
- Add a drainage layer at the bottom
- Remove the plant from its bucket and position the root ball with the collar level with the soil
- Backfill with soil, adding compost if needed
- Water thoroughly
In pots or planters
- Add a drainage layer (gravel, pumice, or clay pebbles) to the base of a container with drainage holes
- Plant in a mix of compost and garden soil
- Water generously
- Place in full sun, sheltered from wind, after frost risk has passed
- Water regularly in summer and remove saucers
Watch our step-by-step guide to planting annuals!
How to Sow Annual Sage Seeds?
Under cover
- Sow annual sage seeds in February–March in trays filled with compost
- Sow on the surface—do not cover, as they need light to germinate
- Keep at 24°C
- Maintain moisture until germination (10–14 days)
- After a month, prick out seedlings into individual buckets with sandy compost
- Keep in a bright, cool room (15–16°C)
- Water regularly (keep moist but not soggy) and fertilise with liquid feed
- Transplant outdoors in May after frost risk has passed
Direct sowing
Sow directly in place once the soil has warmed. Add coarse sand if your soil retains water.
- Sow in prepared soil in small groups of 4–5 seeds
- Cover lightly with compost (3 mm)
- Water gently
- Thin to one plant every 30 cm
- Water young seedlings well
- Mix varieties for colourful displays
Salvia elegans ‘Golden Delicious’ (© KM)
Maintenance, Pruning and Care
Annual salvias are highly floriferous plants that grow without requiring much care, provided the soil remains perfectly drained and rich in summer. Throughout their growth period, they must not lack food, water, or warmth.
You can water during prolonged dry spells, but avoid excess to prevent water stagnation. The soil should never be waterlogged. While regular watering is beneficial in summer to support flowering, it’s better to forget to water occasionally rather than overwater. They will tolerate short dry spells fairly well, as long as they are watered regularly during intense summer heat.
They only fear frost and simply need protection from the cold. By October-November, in colder regions where they are grown as annuals, pull up outdoor plants as they won’t survive heavy frosts. In milder winter regions, spread a dry mulch (dry leaves) around the base to protect them from frost.
Salvia hybrid ‘Mystic Spire’ © KM
In pots
Water regularly, always sparingly, but don’t let the growing medium dry out completely between waterings. Never leave standing water in saucers.
Throughout the growth period, add flowering plant fertiliser (such as geranium feed) to the watering every two weeks.
Protect potted plants from frost with bubble wrap in regions where it’s not too severe, or move them to a sheltered spot, in a bright conservatory or lightly heated greenhouse, until spring.
When and how to prune annual salvias
- Remove faded flowers regularly to encourage new flowering. You can also harvest seeds to sow the following spring.
- In February-March, use shears to cut back the clump to 20 cm above the ground and remove dead wood.
Diseases and potential pests
Rarely affected by disease, annual salvias are mainly susceptible to fungal diseases such as botrytis and powdery mildew, which are encouraged by excess moisture in the soil. In overly wet soil, the plant’s roots may rot: good drainage is essential to prevent these diseases.
In spring, keep an eye out for slugs and snails, which may feast on young shoots.
Propagation
Annual salvias are tender perennials that can be propagated by cuttings in summer, using semi-hardwood cuttings, under a cloche. To keep them going, we also recommend raising new young plants each year from sowing (follow our advice above).
- From June to August, using pruning shears, take non-flowering stems by cutting just below a node
- Remove the lower leaves, keeping only 2 or 3 leaves at the top of the stems
- Plant the cuttings in well-draining seed and potting compost
- Place under a cloche out of direct sunlight until rooted, which takes 2-3 months
- Water and ventilate regularly
- Overwinter the cuttings frost-free in a bright, unheated room
- Plant out in the ground or in pots the following spring after the last frost
Which plants to pair with annual salvias?
With their simple charm, annual salvias easily find their place in the cottage-style borders of a cottage garden. They are commonly found in English cottages and Mediterranean gardens, as these delicate beauties tolerate drought quite well. The blue or white flowering of mealycup sage blends beautifully with roses, hollyhocks, shrubby lavateras, or will highlight the large flowers of peonies in a romantic setting.
Salvia farinacea, hollyhocks, rose ‘Raubritter’, white rose, Lavatera maritima, and peonies
Annual salvias also feature in our summer-flowering perennial borders, where they effortlessly complement the blue summer blooms of perennial geraniums ‘Rozanne’, agastaches, and perennial flax. Their upright flowering spikes help lighten compositions. They thrive alongside other colourful flowers such as catmints, rudbeckias, coneflowers, delphiniums, cosmos, or dahlias. You can also plant annual salvias beside lupins and bellflowers. Pair them with the blooms of yarrows or purpletop vervain, for an airy effect, or with simple flowers like scabious and gauras.
Salvia ‘Love and Wishes’ at the bottom left, alongside perennial flax, delphiniums, white bellflowers, Agastache ‘Kudos Coral’, and cosmos
The autumn asters (Aster turbinellus, Aster laevis, Kalimeris mongolica) will accompany annual salvias until summer’s last glow, at the onset of autumn.
Along pathways and borders, compact varieties can be planted among snow-in-summer (Cerastium tomentosum) or small ornamental grasses. Their pairing with grasses is stunning, such as Stipa tenuifolia or miscanthus.
In pots, smaller red varieties will thrive alongside lobelias, Imperata cylindrica ‘Red Baron’, and heucheras.
Useful resources
- Discover our wide range of annual sages and our sage collection!
- Our video tips for protecting a non-hardy sage
- Explore our 7 pairing ideas for creating beautiful summer planters
- Our advice sheet: Blue Sages: The 5 Best Varieties
- Subscribe!
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