Salvia, a vast genus boasting around 1,000 species, is celebrated for its ornamental and culinary uses. Among the most captivating are the purple varieties, known for their vibrant hues and ability to attract pollinators. These plants feature aromatic foliage and striking flower spikes that bloom from late spring through fall, adding a splash of color and life to any garden.
Originating from the hot, dry climates of the Mediterranean, Asia, and Central and South America, salvias are inherently resilient. They exhibit excellent heat and drought tolerance, are naturally deer resistant, and require minimal upkeep, making them a favorite for both novice and experienced gardeners. The tubular flowers of salvia, especially the purple ones, are a magnet for beneficial insects, butterflies, and hummingbirds, turning your garden into a vibrant ecosystem.
Planting Purple Salvias
When to Plant: The ideal time to plant purple salvias is after the last frost in your region. This ensures that the young plants are not exposed to damaging cold temperatures.
Choosing the Right Location: Purple salvias flourish in locations that receive full sun to partial shade. For optimal blooming and robust growth, aim for a spot that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Well-drained soil is crucial for preventing root rot and ensuring healthy plant development.
Step-by-Step Planting Guide:
- Prepare the Soil: Begin by loosening the soil in your chosen planting area. Amend the soil with organic matter such as compost or aged manure. This enriches the soil with essential nutrients and improves drainage, creating an ideal environment for your purple salvias.
- Dig the Hole: Excavate a hole that is slightly wider and deeper than the root ball of your purple salvia plant. This provides ample space for the roots to expand and establish themselves.
- Remove from Container: Carefully take the salvia plant out of its nursery container. If the roots appear tightly packed or circling (potbound), gently tease them apart to encourage outward growth once planted.
- Position the Plant: Place the purple salvia plant in the center of the hole, ensuring that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil surface. Planting at the correct depth is important for preventing stem rot and promoting healthy growth.
- Backfill and Water: Fill the hole with the amended soil, gently tamping it down around the base of the plant to eliminate air pockets. Water thoroughly immediately after planting. This initial watering helps settle the soil and ensures the roots make good contact with the surrounding earth.
- Spacing: Space your purple salvia plants appropriately, typically 1 to 6 feet apart, depending on the mature size of the specific variety you are planting. Check the plant tag for recommended spacing.
- Ongoing Watering: Water newly planted purple salvias regularly until they are well-established. This usually takes a few weeks. Consistent watering during this initial period helps the plants develop a strong root system.
Purple Salvia Care Guide
Soil: While purple salvias are adaptable and can grow in average soil, excellent drainage is paramount. Soil that retains too much moisture can lead to root issues. Avoid overly rich soils, as they can cause the plants to become leggy, with weak stems that may flop over. For container gardening, use a high-quality, all-purpose potting mix that ensures good drainage. Always ensure that pots have sufficient drainage holes.
Watering: Once established, purple salvias are notably drought-tolerant. However, they perform best when provided with consistent moisture. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. A good rule of thumb is to irrigate when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. Increase watering frequency during periods of prolonged heat or dry spells. Container-grown purple salvias will dry out more quickly than those planted in the ground and will require more frequent watering.
Fertilizing: Purple salvias are not heavy feeders and require minimal fertilization. In spring, you can apply a balanced, time-release fertilizer or spread a thin layer of compost around the base of the plants. Be cautious not to over-fertilize, as this can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers and can also cause the plants to become leggy and prone to falling over.
Pruning: Pruning is an essential part of purple salvia care, promoting bushier growth and more abundant blooms.
- Deadheading: Regularly remove spent flower spikes to encourage continuous blooming throughout the flowering season. Use sharp pruning shears to cut the flower stalks just below the faded blooms, typically to the point where you see a set of leaves or side shoots. Deadheading prevents the plant from putting energy into seed production and redirects it towards producing more flowers.
- Spring Pruning: For herbaceous perennial purple salvias, wait until early spring when new growth begins to emerge from the base of the plant. At this time, cut back the old, dead stems to ground level. For shrub-type purple salvias, prune in early spring to remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. You can also cut back the entire plant by about one-third to one-half of its size to maintain shape and encourage vigorous new growth.
Popular Purple Salvia Varieties
Purple salvias come in a delightful array of shades and forms. Here are a few standout varieties to consider for your garden:
- Rockin’® Deep Purple (Salvia hybrid): This annual salvia is a showstopper, bringing intense, deep purple blooms from early summer until the first frosts of fall. Its vibrant color and long blooming period make it a favorite for adding dramatic flair to gardens and containers. It’s particularly attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies.
- Color Spires® ‘Violet Riot’ (Salvia nemorosa): A hardy perennial, ‘Violet Riot’ is known for its prolific display of vivid violet-blue flower spikes from late spring to early summer. Its compact, mounding habit makes it excellent for mass plantings, borders, and adding vertical interest to garden beds. It’s a reliable choice for cooler climates (hardiness zones 3-8).
- Rockin’® Blue Suede Shoes™ (Salvia hybrid): While named “blue,” the flowers of this variety lean towards a rich, deep blue-purple, offering a stunning display. It’s an annual that provides continuous color, is easy to care for, drought-tolerant, and deer resistant, making it a hassle-free option for gardeners in warmer zones (9-11).
- ‘Perfect Profusion’ (Salvia nemerosa): This perennial salvia features soft, icy blue-purple flower spikes that start blooming in late spring and continue throughout the summer with deadheading. Its extended bloom time and delicate color make it a valuable addition to perennial borders and cutting gardens.
Choosing between annual and perennial purple salvias depends on your climate and gardening goals. Annual varieties like Rockin’® Deep Purple provide vibrant, season-long color but need to be replanted each year in colder zones. Perennial types such as Color Spires® ‘Violet Riot’ offer the benefit of returning year after year, establishing themselves as reliable garden staples, particularly in zones where they are hardy.
Landscaping with Purple Salvias
Purple salvias are incredibly versatile and can be incorporated into various landscape designs. Their striking vertical flower spikes and rich purple hues make them excellent for:
- Creating Color Contrast: Plant purple salvias alongside flowers with complementary colors like yellow or orange, such as coreopsis, marigolds, or gazanias. This creates eye-catching contrast and vibrant garden displays.
- Pollinator Gardens: Purple salvia flowers are magnets for hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. Include them in a dedicated pollinator garden to support local ecosystems and enjoy the lively activity they attract.
- Borders and Edging: Use compact purple salvia varieties like Color Spires® ‘Violet Riot’ to create neat and colorful borders along pathways or garden beds. Their uniform growth habit and vibrant color make them ideal for defining garden spaces.
- Mixed Borders: Incorporate perennial purple salvias into mixed borders with other perennials, shrubs, and ground covers. They add vertical structure and color, contributing to a layered and textured garden tapestry.
- Deer-Resistant Gardens: Plant purple salvias in areas prone to deer browsing. Their natural deer resistance, combined with other deer-repelling plants like bee balm and Russian sage, can help protect your garden.
- Container Gardening: Annual purple salvia varieties like Unplugged® Pink (which has deep pink flowers with purple calyxes, offering a near-purple effect) can serve as the “thriller” element in container arrangements. Combine them with mounding “fillers” and trailing “spillers” for dynamic and colorful container displays.
Conclusion
Caring for purple salvias is a rewarding experience, bringing vibrant color, pollinator activity, and low-maintenance beauty to your garden. By following these simple guidelines for planting, watering, fertilizing, and pruning, you can ensure your purple salvias thrive and flourish, providing a stunning display throughout the growing season. Whether you choose the deep purple of ‘Rockin’ Deep Purple’ or the violet-blue of ‘Violet Riot’, these plants are sure to become beloved additions to your landscape. Embrace the ease and beauty of purple salvias and enjoy a garden filled with color and life.
For further information and to explore more salvia varieties, visit Proven Winners Plants. You can also find a local garden center to purchase your purple salvias here.
