If you enjoy watching hummingbirds in the garden or seeing lots of pollinators on your plants, be sure to plant some annual salvias next year. Salvia is an enormous genus of plants with more than 1,000 species, including those that are annual, perennial or shrubs. The herb sage (Salvia officianalis) is also a salvia.
Salvia is a popular garden plant known for its showy flowers that come in a variety of colors like blue, purple, pink, red, and white. But one common question that arises is whether salvias are annuals or perennials. The answer is that there are both annual and perennial types of salvia. Knowing the difference can help you select the right ones for your gardening needs.
What is Salvia?
Salvia is a large genus of plants in the mint family with nearly 1,000 species. The name salvia comes from the Latin word “salvere” which means “to heal”. Salvias have long been used for their medicinal properties. The flowers typically have a tubular shape and grow on spikes. The leaves are aromatic.
Some of the most popular garden salvia include
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Pineapple sage – Known for its bright red flowers and pineapple-scented foliage.
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Texas sage – Produces bright red blooms,
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Autumn sage – Blooms from spring to fall in a range of colors.
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Garden sage – The culinary herb used for cooking, also has ornamental varieties.
Annual vs Perennial Salvias
The main difference between annual and perennial salvias lies in their life cycle:
Annual salvias:
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Complete their life cycle in one growing season.
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Grow from seeds or small starter plants.
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Bloom abundantly through the summer and fall.
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Die after frost and do not return the next year.
Perennial salvias:
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Live for multiple years.
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Emerge from roots each spring.
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Can be divided every few years.
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Withstand winter in the garden in suitable climates.
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May be short-lived in cold climates but survive winters if heavily mulched.
Popular Annual Salvia Varieties
Annual salvias bring fast color to gardens and containers. Some top annual types include:
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Salvia ‘Evolution’ – Produces vibrant violet-blue flowers on compact 18-inch plants.
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Salvia ‘Mystic Spires Blue’ – Tall background plant up to 5 feet, with intense blue flower spikes.
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Salvia ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ – Prolific bloomer with electric blue flowers all season long. Grows 16 to 32 inches tall.
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Salvia ‘Rockin’ Deep Purple’ – Deep reddish-purple blooms on 30-inch tall plants from summer to fall.
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Salvia ‘Rockin’ Fuchsia’ – Bright fuchsia-pink flowers loved by hummingbirds and butterflies. Grows 14 to 20 inches tall.
Top Perennial Salvia Varieties
While annual salvias shine for one season, perennial types continue the show year after year. Some excellent perennial choices include:
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Salvia ‘May Night’ – Deep violet-blue flowers bloom in late spring on 18 to 24-inch plants.
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Salvia ‘Rose Queen’ – Flowers open soft pink then mature to deeper rose-pink. Grows 24 to 30 inches tall.
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Salvia ‘Caradonna’ – Rich blue-purple flower spikes stand above deep green foliage. Grows 36 to 40 inches tall.
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Salvia ‘Snow Hill’ – Elegant white flowers appear in early summer on compact, mound-shaped plants reaching 15 inches tall.
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Salvia ‘Wendy’s Wish’ – Bright magenta-pink blooms from early summer into fall on sturdy 36-inch plants.
Growing Tips for Salvia
Follow these simple tips to get the most out of your salvias in the garden:
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Plant in full sun for the most prolific flowering. Some varieties tolerate partial shade.
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Space plants 1 to 3 feet apart depending on mature size.
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Water regularly until established then allow soil to dry between waterings.
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Apply a balanced fertilizer or compost in spring. Avoid over-fertilizing.
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Prune back perennials in early spring. Cut annuals back to the ground after frost.
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Mulch around plants to retain moisture and control weeds.
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Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering.
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At the end of the season, leave some flowers on plants for birds and self-seeding.
Using Salvias in the Landscape
With their diversity, salvias can be used in many ways:
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Create colorful borders by mass planting annuals or pairing perennials with complementary flowers.
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Add vertical interest along walkways, fences or foundations.
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Grow them in containers or window boxes for instant color.
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Attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds by including them in pollinator gardens.
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Use compact perennials on banks or slopes to control erosion.
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Grow deer-resistant varieties to discourage grazing. Deer dislike their pungent fragrance.
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Substitute hardy perennial salvias for lavender in colder climates.
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Enjoy culinary pineapple sage for its fruity scent and flavor.
Why plant annual salvia
Perennial salvias, such as May Night, ‘Caradonna’ or ‘Moulin Rouge’, are hardy garden stars — and many of them perform well as far north as USDA Zone 3. But for real hummingbird action in your garden, you cannot beat the annual salvias. Most have larger blooms than the perennial varieties and some have red blooms, which really attract hummingbirds.
One of the first annual salvias I planted was a pass-along plant called Yvonne’s giant salvia. The story goes that Yvonne grew an annual red salvia in her yard and one of the plants grew to 6 feet tall. She saved the seeds from the giant plant, which was covered with blooms, and started passing them on to friends. You can buy seeds from ebay and other vendors on the web, and many believe her salvia is a variation of the Salvia splendens species from Brazil.
Another popular red annual salvia is pineapple sage (Salvia elegans). This is one of the last plants to bloom in the garden, so put it in a spot that’s fairly warm or grow it in a large container. Mine usually bloom in September and those butterflies and hummingbirds that are still around love it. In colder years, the blooms and the pollinators may miss each other. The plant’s pleasant scent and a lovely habit earn it a place in my garden even when the season is cold.
While the red salvias are great, I’ve had good luck with purple cultivars too. I grew Rockin® Playing the Blues™ salvia as a trial plant a couple of years ago. It grew almost 4 feet tall in a part-sun area and bloomed for many weeks. It was very popular with bees and butterflies, and added height, shiny green foliage and stunning blooms to the garden. Black-and-Blue is another great annual salvia for our area. Victoria Blue is a shorter, but still stunning variety that is an annual in cold-climates.
The University of Minnesota also recommends Summer Pink Jewel salvia and Purple Fairy Tale salvia as great annual salvias for pollinators.
Annual salvias are easy to care for and do well in containers or garden beds. They like full sun and very well-drained soil. You can choose plants in six-packs in spring, or start them from seeds. If you choose seeds, start them indoors in early April to set out in June. Salvias do not require much fertilizer — a layer of compost or a little bit of slow release fertilizer at planting is plenty.
Which are your favorite annual salvias?
Deadheading Salvia Plants: Everything You Need to Know #salvia #garden #flowers
FAQ
How do I know if my Salvia is annual or perennial?
Annual salvias are usually started from seed or purchased as a small plant from a garden center. They will die back at frost and not return unless they have dropped viable seeds. Perennial salvias will return year after year from their roots and may self-sow through dropped seeds as well.
Do salvias like sun or shade?
Most salvia varieties prefer full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, but some can tolerate partial shade. In general, flowering will be reduced in partial shade.
What is the difference between annual and perennial salvias?
Annual Salvia (One season) Tender Perennials (Generally comes back, but may not survive a cold winter) Biennial Salvia (fabulous foliage year one, fabulous foliage and flowers year two) Perennial Salvia (comes back each year)
Do salvias spread?
Yes, some Salvia varieties can spread in the garden, either by self-seeding or by spreading from their roots.