Ornamental salvia Salvia nemorosa
Ornamental salvia (Salvia nemorosa) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Lamiaceae family. It grows 40–80 cm (16–31 in) tall and 40–60 cm (16–24 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -12 °C (10 °F). Space plants about 45 cm (18 in) apart.
Plan Ornamental salvia in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Ornamental salvia at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Mature height | 40–80 cm (16–31 in) |
| Mature spread | 40–60 cm (16–24 in) |
| Spacing | 45 cm (18 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -12 °C (10 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 9–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Ornamental salvia toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Ornamental salvia is not known to be toxic to people or pets.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Ornamental salvia
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Ornamental salvia in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (6 plants)
- Longwood Gardens (14 plants)
- Riverside botanical garden (20 plants)
Questions about Ornamental salvia
- How far apart should I plant Ornamental salvia?
- About 45 cm (18 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–60 cm (16–24 in).
- Does Ornamental salvia need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Ornamental salvia need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Ornamental salvia?
- It tolerates about -12 °C (10 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Ornamental salvia flower?
- From about June for 9–14 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Ornamental salvia poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Ornamental salvia is not known to be toxic to people or pets.
- What grows well with Ornamental salvia?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Ornamental salvia. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Basil Ocimum basilicum
- Rosemary Salvia rosmarinus
- Thyme Thymus vulgaris
- Mint Mentha spicata
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Creeping thyme Thymus serpyllum
- Common sage Salvia officinalis
- Oregano Origanum vulgare