Salvia nutans

NODDING SAGE

Salvia nutans
NODDING SAGE

Nodding heads of stunning rich blue plumes, distinguish Salvia nutans as something out of the box in the beautiful world of Salvias.
So very few other Salvias have this fetching, flowering habit of nodding plumes.
And as the stems arise they also branch out to produce a succession of the electric blue flower plumes in an airy, cloudy effect.

Souring strong stems of electric blue

Strong stems soar up in summer, rising high above the attractive, low to the ground, rosette of broad leaves.
So although Salvia nutans is a bold, robust plant, it gives a light, airy and see through look.
And it continues to produce those striking electric-blue heads for a long season over summer and autumn.

Lovely branches of cut flowers

It also makes a great cut flower, as the clean stems are strong and long, though the branched flower heads are nodding.
And could even be said to resemble a flying flock of English Bluebells (Ahhhhh to be back in a Cornish Bluebell Wood).
(Nutans in botanical latin means “nodding” – so it is well named).

Aromatic, neat low, foliage clump

The foliage of Salvia nutans also makes a good garden contrast, and is pleasantly aromatic.
As the long, broad leaves clump densely, low to the ground.
And further plumps up each season, without the compact clump becoming invasive or a thug.
The foliage rosette is evergreen, except in cold climate areas where it may be semi-evergreen over winter. But do not fear, this hardy perennial will be back bigger, better and more electric-blue than ever next spring.

Elegant but tough

Plant Salvia nutans in Full Sun. Though it can tolerate some semi-shade, as long as it is not wet.
In fact Salvia nutans is a very water-wise plant, being naturally well adapted to heat, periods of dry, and poorer stony soil. And it positively adores good drainage.
So it is perfectly happy with minimal watering over hot summers, as long as it gets a little but regularly.
Bees, honey-eating birds, and other beneficial pollinators love it as much as we do, and will flock to it over it’s long blooming period.

Hardy in frost, dry & heat

Salvia nutans is native to central and eastern Europe, where the climate is notoriously extreme.
So it can tolerate heavy winter frost to -20C approximately, and then stand up to oppressive summer heat.

Easily grown & low maintenance

Salvia nutans is an easily grown, low maintenance plant.
So the only real work is cutting back the spent flower stems at the end of the long blooming.

Hardy evergreen (usually evergreen unless in very cold place) perennial.
1m High when in flower, but foliage low to the ground x 60cm Wide aromatic clump.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY
Suits beginners & gardening with kids

Sow at any time of year in punnets indoors.

INDOORS: Sow seeds in punnets on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then press the seeds gently into the surface of the mix to ensure good contact.
But do not cover with the seeds with mix.
As these seeds need light is for germination.

Now keep your sown punnet moist in a warm, well-lit position.

Temperatures of 20-25°C approx. are optimum for maximum germination.

Seedlings emerge in approx. 14-28 days.
But do not discard the punnet after the first seeds have germinated.
Because many desert plants, such as Salvia nutans, possess the cunning trick of naturally staggering germination of their seeds. This gives them a sporting chance to emerge during rare good times, in an erratic and harsh climate.

If some seeds are shy to germinate – then wrap the moist, sown punnet in cling-wrap or a plastic bag, and place in the fridge (not freezer) for 4-6 weeks.
Then remove the punnet from the fridge, unwrap, and return to a warm, well lit spot again.

Seed Count: 10 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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