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Salvia × sylvestris 'May Night' (Meadow sage)

Salvia × sylvestris 'May Night' Photo/Illustration: Chris Curless

(Based on 5 user reviews)

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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Salvia × sylvestris 'May Night' SAL-vee-ah ex sil-VES-tris Common Name: Meadow sage Synonyms: Salvia nemorosa 'May Night', Salvia × sylvestris 'Mainacht', Salvia × superba 'May Night' Genus: Salvia
This drought-tolerant perennial bears deep violet-blue flower spikes in early summer and then sporadically if spent flowers are removed promptly. It forms an erect clump 2.5 feet tall by 1.5 feet wide, with wrinkled, soft hairy leaves.
Noteworthy characteristics: These are some of the showiest plants for containers, edging, and mixed borders. Butterflies love them. 'May Night' was the 1997 Perennial Plant of the Year.
Care: Provide moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade.
Propagation: Divide in early spring, and pamper newly divided clumps. Take cuttings spring through fall.
Problems: Powdery mildew, rust, stem rot, fungal leaf spots, whiteflies, aphids, mealybugs, spider mites.
Height 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Spread 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Growth Habit Clumps
Growth Pace Moderate Grower
Light Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture Dry to Medium
Maintenance Low
Tolerance Deer Tolerant;Drought Tolerant
Characteristics Attracts Butterflies; Attracts Hummingbirds; Fragrant Foliage; Showy Flowers
Bloom Time Early Summer; Summer
Flower Color Purple/ Lavender Flower
Uses Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Cut Flower, Dried Flower
Style Cottage Garden, Meadow Garden, Rock Garden
Seasonal Interest Summer Interest
Type Perennials

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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This drought-tolerant perennial produces flower spikes in shades of violet, purple, or white to pink, with purple bracts. It blooms from early summer to autumn; reblooming is most reliable if spent flowers are promptly deadheaded. It has wrinkled leaves and forms an erect clump 3 feet tall by 2 feet wide. This species is most noted for its many S. sylvestris hybrids.

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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This woody-stemmed perennial produces sticky spikes of deep violet or, rarely, white to pink flowers. It blooms from early summer to autumn; reblooming is most reliable if spent flowers are deadheaded promptly. It has wrinkled leaves and forms an upright clump 3 feet tall by 1 foot wide. This salvia is most noted for its many hybirds with S. nemerosa.  

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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

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Salvia × superba Salvia × superba
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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This hybrid of S. nemorosa and S. sylvestris is a drought-tolerant perennial that lends vivid purple-blue hues to the garden from summer to early fall on 1.5- to 3-foot-tall spikes. Deadheading prolongs bloom. The spikes rise from a clump of silvery green leaves that grows to about 2 feet tall and wide.