I’ve been gardening for a while now and let me tell you, Salvia plants have completely stolen my heart! There are 20 incredible varieties, each with its own special personality and beauty. You’re bound to find a Salvia that will add the perfect touch to your garden.
From the culinary delights of Common Sage to the vibrant hues of Autumn Sage, this diverse genus offers a symphony of colors, textures, and aromas that will elevate your outdoor space.
Salvia officinalis (Common Sage)
Have you heard of common sage, also known as Salvia officinalis? It’s a really cool herb to have in your garden because it not only adds a nice flavor to your dishes but also has some medicinal benefits.
The leaves smell amazing and can really make your meals pop, plus the flowers are great for attracting bees and other pollinators. It’s like having a little ecosystem right in your backyard!
As a medicinal herb, common sage has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, including sore throats, digestive issues, and stress.
Common sage is such a versatile herb! Not only does it have a calming effect that can help you relax and get a good night’s sleep, but it also adds great flavor to your dishes.
Plus, it’s really good for your health too. It’s a must-have in any garden!
Salvia elegans (Pineapple Sage)
Pineapple Sage, also known as Salvia elegans, is a beautiful and fragrant herb that adds a touch of the tropics to the garden.
Its foliage emits a sweet, fruity aroma reminiscent of pineapples, making it a delight for both the eyes and nose.
In the summer, it produces showy scarlet flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Pineapple Sage is easy to grow and prefers well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight.
It’s a low-maintenance herb that can reach heights of 3-4 feet.
Its leaves can be used fresh or dried in teas, salads, and desserts, imparting a unique pineapple-like flavor.
Did you know that you can actually eat the flowers too? They’re perfect for adding a little extra touch to your dishes or for making some refreshing summer drinks.
Salvia microphylla (Miniature Sage)
Have you heard of Salvia microphylla, or as some like to call it, Miniature Sage? It’s a little evergreen plant from Mexico.
Don’t let its small name fool you though, it can actually spread two to three feet wide if it’s in a sunny or partially shady spot.
It’s a low-maintenance plant that’s easy to grow, and it features grayish-green foliage and tiny purple flowers that bloom in spring.
This plant is so cool – you can use it as groundcover, in rock gardens, or even as a border plant. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of plants!
Salvia greggii (Autumn Sage)
Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii) is a fantastic choice for gardeners seeking vibrant color in their gardens. This Mexican native thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, growing up to 2-3 feet tall.
Its foliage features aromatic, textured leaves that come in shades of green, gray, or silver.
The star of the show is its scarlet-red blooms that emerge in late summer, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.
This drought-tolerant plant is a low-maintenance beauty that adds a touch of the Southwest to any garden.
Salvia splendens (Scarlet Sage)
Scarlet Sage, also known as Salvia splendens, is a beautiful, eye-catching annual that produces vibrant, trumpet-shaped blooms.
Its showy, velvety flowers come in shades of red, pink, white, and even purple, attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators to your garden.
Scarlet Sage thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires well-drained soil.
It’s relatively low-maintenance, making it a great choice for both beginners and experienced gardeners.
The blooms appear profusely throughout the summer and fall, adding a splash of color to borders, containers, and cutting gardens.
If you want to bring more wildlife into your backyard or just liven up your outdoor area with some beautiful color, you can’t go wrong with Scarlet Sage!
Salvia coccinea (Blood Sage)
With its vibrant scarlet-red flowers that resemble a hummingbird’s beak, Salvia coccinea, aptly named Blood Sage, is a captivating addition to any garden.
This herbaceous perennial is native to Mexico and Central America, thriving in warm and humid climates.
Blood Sage is not only a visual stunner but also attracts a variety of pollinators, including hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
Its blooming period extends from early summer to frost, providing continuous color and food sources throughout the growing season.
When this plant grows to around 2-3 feet tall, it kind of looks like a little bush that stands up straight. It’s a fun addition to any garden, whether you stick it in a border, a pot, or a cute little cottage garden.
Salvia leucantha (Mexican Bush Sage)
Mexican Bush Sage, or Salvia leucantha, is a stunning addition to any garden with its velvety, purple flower spikes that bloom late summer to fall.
This drought-tolerant plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil.
Its aromatic foliage and flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators, making it a valuable plant for wildlife gardens.
Have you ever seen Mexican Bush Sage? It grows to about 2-4 feet tall and blooms like crazy, making it a real showstopper in any garden. It’s such a beautiful plant!
Salvia guaranitica (Anise-scented Sage)
This beautiful sage plant is like a magnet for hummingbirds! They just can’t resist its vibrant blue flowers that bloom from summer all the way through fall.
And when you crush the leaves, oh boy, you’re in for a treat – they give off a lovely anise scent that adds a wonderful fragrance to your garden.
Anise-scented sage grows up to 3 feet tall and prefers full sun to partial shade.
It’s a hardy plant that can tolerate a variety of soil conditions, making it an easy addition to any garden.
Salvia dorisiana (Doris’ Sage)
Doris’ Sage, a striking evergreen perennial, boasts an upright habit with silver-green leaves. Its eye-catching foliage makes it a fantastic addition to borders, containers, and gravel gardens.
Come summer, Doris’ Sage produces vivid violet-blue flower spikes that rise above the foliage, attracting pollinators to your outdoor space.
Did you know that this plant is originally from Mexico? It’s a tough little guy that likes soil that can drain well and thrives in areas with lots of sunshine or a bit of shade.
Salvia nemorosa (Woodland Sage)
Woodland Sage, also known as Salvia nemorosa, is a beautiful and easy-to-grow perennial that brings a touch of elegance to any garden.
Have you seen those beautiful spikes of purple flowers that pop up in late spring and early summer? They attract all kinds of pollinators and really liven up your landscape with a burst of vibrant color.
This little plant is great because it grows nice and bushy and does well in both full sun and some shade.
Woodland Sage is awesome for planting in containers or mixed borders!
Its adaptability and beauty truly make it a perfect addition to any garden. It’s just so versatile and charming!
Salvia pratensis (Meadow Sage)
Have you seen those beautiful spires of blue-purple flowers on Meadow Sage, also known as Salvia pratensis? They add such a lovely touch of elegance to any garden, don’t you think?
This plant is a tough one, good for zones 3-8. It likes soil that drains well and does best in full sun or partial shade.
This beautiful plant can grow up to 2 feet tall and is in full bloom from midsummer to early fall. It’s a favorite among bees and butterflies, who love to visit for a tasty treat.
Its fragrant foliage can also be used for teas or dried for potpourris.
Salvia confertifolia (Bush Clumping Sage)
Salvia confertifolia, also known as Bush Clumping Sage, is a compact and tidy member of the Salvia family.
Its dense, low-growing form creates an attractive groundcover that can spread up to 2 feet wide.
Wow, this sage plant has such pretty gray-green leaves with a nice crinkly texture!
In the summer, Salvia confertifolia produces spikes of deep blue flowers that are a magnet for pollinators.
This drought-tolerant plant is easy to grow and can thrive in full sun or partial shade.
Its compact size and tidy habit make it an excellent choice for containers or small gardens.
Salvia jamensis (James’ Sage)
James’ Sage, a native of Mexico, is a vibrant and captivating addition to any garden.
Its showy, coral-colored flowers bloom profusely in late spring to early summer, creating a stunning display that attracts pollinators.
The heart-shaped leaves offer a lush backdrop for the eye-catching blooms, adding to its ornamental appeal.
Meet James’ Sage! It can grow up to 2 feet tall and loves hanging out in well-drained soil where it can soak up plenty of sunshine. It also doesn’t mind a little bit of shade now and then.
This plant is great for gardens that don’t need a lot of water because it can handle drought really well.
Salvia reptans (Creeping Sage)
Have you heard of Creeping Sage? It’s also known as Salvia reptans, and it’s great for adding some color and texture to your garden.
This low-growing groundcover has beautiful green leaves and trailing stems that form a dense mat.
Plus, it blooms with pretty lavender-blue flowers from midsummer to early fall. Perfect for brightening up your outdoor space!
As a hardy perennial, it’s easy to care for and will quickly spread to fill in empty spaces.
Creeping Sage thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil, making it a versatile choice for a variety of garden settings.
Salvia verticillata (Whorled Sage)
This perennial beauty boasts clusters of violet-blue blooms from summer to fall. Reaching heights of up to 2 feet, it’s a perfect complement to cottage gardens or as a border along pathways.
Salvia verticillata thrives in full sun to partial shade and tolerates hot, humid summers and drought-like conditions.
I love how this plant has these cool spiraling leaves and flowers that really stand out in any garden. It’s so unique and adds a special touch to the whole vibe.
Salvia uliginosa (Bog Sage)
If you’re looking for a unique addition to your garden, consider the Salvia uliginosa, also known as Bog Sage.
This beautiful and easy-to-grow plant prefers moist soils, making it perfect for boggy areas or near water features.
Its stunning blue-purple flowers bloom from summer to fall, attracting pollinators and adding a touch of color to your landscape.
Bog Sage is a great choice for attracting wildlife and adding visual interest to your garden.
Salvia sclarea (Clary Sage)
Have you ever come across Clary Sage in a garden? It’s quite the sight! With its captivating musky scent and unique foliage, this plant really stands out.
The leaves are so soft and come in different shades of green, gray, and white, making it a real showstopper in any garden.
Reaching heights of up to four feet, Clary Sage boasts a long flowering season, gracing gardens with its vibrant blue or purple blooms from midsummer to early fall.
The flowers on these stems are so pretty and arranged in a way that draws in all sorts of pollinators, bringing a lot of life and energy into your outdoor area.
Salvia hispanica (Chia Sage)
Have you ever tried Chia Sage? It’s not just a superfood, it’s also a delicious culinary treat!
People love using its edible seeds in all sorts of dishes because they’re packed with fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. It’s no wonder this ingredient has become so popular!
Sprinkle chia seeds on oatmeal, yogurt, or smoothies for a nutritional boost.
Chia seed gel, formed when the seeds are soaked in water, can be used as a thickener in sauces, baking recipes, or even as an egg substitute in vegan preparations.
Grow this plant in your garden for a healthy and delicious addition to your diet.
Salvia apiana (White Sage)
White Sage, or Salvia apiana, is a perennial shrub native to Western North America.
Known for its tall, stately stems and grayish-green leaves, White Sage has been prized for centuries by Native American tribes for its spiritual significance and medicinal properties.
The leaves and flowers give off a strong, beautiful scent that people often use in smudging ceremonies and incense. It’s really nice to have around for creating a calming atmosphere.
In gardens, White Sage is a low-maintenance plant that prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.
This plant is great for dry climates and gardens with native plants because it can handle drought really well. It’s a perfect choice for xeriscapes and will fit right in with other local plants.
Salvia divinorum (Diviner’s Sage)
The renowned Salvia divinorum, often referred to as Diviner’s Sage, holds a revered position in the realm of Salvia.
Did you know that this amazing sage comes from the cloud forests of Mexico? It’s pretty fascinating – the Mazatec shamans have been using it for ages to help with spiritual growth and healing.
Did you know that the reason it makes you feel so weird is because of this cool thing called salvinorin A? It’s a super unique compound that can make you see some crazy stuff and really make you think deep about things.
While its cultivation can be challenging, Salvia divinorum’s profound effects on the mind and spirit have continued to captivate the imagination of seekers and researchers alike.
