Salvia nemerosa varieties are mainstays in the Midwest
The National Garden Bureau has decreed that 2019 is the year of Salvia nemerosa. These are not the annual types of salvia, like Victoria Blue, that we love to use in summer containers. These are perennials that have become mainstays in border designs.
Salvia nemerosa is not native to the United States but has made itself at home across the country. It and its cultivars are very cold hardy and thrive in even our coldest Midwestern winters. They are very easy to grow as long as they are planted in well-drained soil and full sun. Once established, they are relatively drought tolerant.
Flower spikes rise on sturdy, upright stems for an extended period in summer in light to dark blue, pink, rose, violet, lavender or white. Pollinators are drawn to them, but rabbits and deer tend to leave them alone. Flowering can be prolonged by deadheading spent blooms and supplying supplemental watering in periods of drought.
Salvia nemerosa rarely comes under attack from insect pests or diseases. If plants begin to look summer-worn, they can be cut back to their rosettes of basal foliage. They will begin to flush new growth in a couple weeks.
May Night may be the most popular member in the salvia family. Its deep violet-blue flower spikes grow up to 24 inches tall. May Night was named the Perennial Plant Association's Plant of the Year in 1997.
Caradonna features violet-blue flowers on dramatic, dark purple 24-inch stems. The stature of East Friesland is a bit shorter. It boasts vibrant violet-purple blooms on 18-inch stems.
For gardeners who prefer rosier shades, Amethyst displays richly colored, large flower spikes. Plants grow up to 30 inches tall and wide. Not pink enough? Try Sensation Rose. It sports bright pink flowers on compact plants.
Another rose-pink bloomer, Plumosa shows off unique, plume-like flower spikes reaching 18 inches tall.
My favorite of the Salvia nemerosa family is Marcus. It is small — under a foot tall — but its deep violet-blue flowers bloom in a big way for a long time in summer. Another dwarf, Sensation Sky Blue, presents soft, lavender-blue flowers.
Whichever cultivar strikes your fancy, plant them in perennial beds or borders, rock gardens, cottage gardens and plantings for pollinators.
Plant salvia in sunny perennial borders with Shasta daisies, black-eyed Susan, coneflowers, phlox and coreopsis. Companions in sun-drenched rock gardens include creeping phlox, sea thrift and sedums. Partner them with allium, bee balm and butterfly weed in plantings for pollinators.
• Diana Stoll is a horticulturist, garden writer and speaker. She blogs at gardenwithdiana.com.