Salvia x microphylla 'Nachtvlinder' (Night Butterfly)

The Salvia microphylla 'Nachtvlinder' is a superb selection of shrubby sage recently obtained from the Netherlands. This variety surprises with the colour of its small flowers, a deep purple-violet of rare intensity, whose depth is difficult to grasp in a photo. Its velvety small flowers display a very wide lip split into two lobes arranged like two wings, which undoubtedly inspired its name of 'Night Butterfly'. They bloom almost continuously from June to September, if the soil remains slightly moist. Microphylla type salvias are water-efficient, remarkably floriferous, robust but often moderately hardy: this one deviates from the rule, and withstands temperatures down to -15°C (5°F). Associate this plant with varieties that have fuchsia pink or velvet red flowers, purple or silver foliage; the result surpasses any description!

'Night Butterfly' was discovered in Holland in 2008 among a sowing of microphylla sage 'Royal Bumble' growing near an S. serpyllifolia hybrid with magenta violet flowers. Microphylla or grahamii type salvias are woody perennial plants of the Lamiaceae family originating from the Mexican mountains as well as from southern Arizona.

The 'Nachtvlinder' sage has a nicely flexible bushy habit, and is slightly taller than wide. It will quickly reach about 60 cm (24in) in height and 50-60 cm (20-24in) in diameter, within 2 to 3 years. The nectar-rich and honey-rich flowering is generous from late spring to late summer, until cold weather starts. The small elongated flowers stand above the foliage, borne on very dark stems, in 20 cm (8in) spikes. They measure 2 cm (1in) in length and are adorned with a fascinating hue, a deep purple-violet crossed by a blue flash at the top, they are nestled in small bracts tinged with black-violet. They live barely a day, often covering the ground with their petals by the evening, and will then be replaced the next morning. The semi-evergreen foliage is composed of small ovate leaves with crenate edges, of a shiny dark green, thick and aromatic, a little sticky, releasing with heat a strongly acidic-scented essential oil. They sometimes take on pretty yellow and purple hues in autumn.

'Night Butterfly' sage is a robust and splendid plant; it develops quickly and inundates borders or terraces with its long flowering of a unique violet. It only requires a very well-drained soil, even poor, in sunny or semi-shaded exposure. The lower light of autumn enhances the flowering of shrubby salvias, which capture the light through their petals like tiny stained glass windows. 'Nachtvlinder' surpasses all spring or summer blooms. But its association with pink autumn asters, 'Royal Bumble' salvias or the wild species S. grahamii with intense fuchsia flowers is truly fabulous. There will be a fantastic tableau if this plant is mixed with California poppies, tall sedums, red Loropetalum foliage or silver artemisias, seaside cinerarias and some euphorbias (Euphorbia Ponte Leccia). On the terrace, place it in a large pot, right next to a Senecio Angel Wings and fox tail amaranths; the colour combination is superb!