Salvia nemorosa Bumbleberry - Woodland Sage

The Salvia nemorosa 'Bumbleberry' is a perennial variety of sage that is characterized by a compact habit and such colourful flowering that it makes other sages appear pale in comparison. This neat-looking little plant produces a multitude of small flowers in a dark fuchsia pink for several weeks, grouped on violet-purple stems. Not very tall, this plant is easy to combine in the border of a flower bed as well as in flower pots.

The Salvia nemorosa 'Bumbleberry' is a hardy perennial plant from the Lamiaceae or Labiate family. Its wild ancestor, the wood sage, is a species native to central Europe and western Asia. The cultivar 'Bumbleberry' was selected in the USA by Walters Gardens. It presents itself as a compact and branched tuft, reaching a mature size of not more than 30 cm in height when in flower and 35-40 cm (14-16in) in width. This perennial develops in spring, starting from a prostrate rosette of oval, rough, very dark green leaves with toothed edges, aromatic when crushed. It has a bushy, very branched and sturdy habit. Flowering begins in May-June and continues until August-September if the soil does not dry out too much and faded flowers are regularly pruned. It takes the form of terminal clusters bearing many small flowers (0.5 to 1 cm (0in)). The beautiful flower spikes, rich in nectar, delight bees and butterflies. The vegetation of this sage will persist more or less in winter, its very cold-resistant stump does not fear harsh winters if the soil is properly drained.

Plant the 'Bumbleberry' sage in the border of a flower bed in association with carnations, coreopsis or catmints, for example. It is an excellent candidate for ornamenting terraces and balconies, but also a preferred guest in low-maintenance flower beds. Easy to grow, this plant is also one of the hardiest sages and a fantastic garden perennial that will not disappoint. It resists everything, even wind, cold, heat, and poor soils. This variety will look superb when combined with pink-flowering plants, such as the rose 'The Fairy', a red rose (Rouge Cascade), or with perennial geraniums. It also pairs well with shrubby mallows, penstemons, peonies, etc.

With over 900 species of annuals, perennials, and softwood bushes distributed around the world, except in very cold regions and tropical forests, the Salvia genus is the richest in the Lamiaceae family. The name Salvia, which dates back to Roman times, derives from the Latin salvus "healthy" in allusion to the medicinal virtues of common sage.