Salvia: Vertical Spikes, Pollinator Magnets
Salvia nemorosa
Perennial salvias produce upright spikes of blue, purple, or pink that bees and hummingbirds find irresistible. Drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and they bloom again after a hard cutback in mid-summer.
Specifications
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Low
- Hardiness zones
- 4–9
- Height
- 1–3 ft
- Bloom time
- Late spring to summer
Care & growing tips
Plant in well-drained soil in full sun. Cut back spent bloom spikes by half for a second flush. Divide every 3–4 years. "May Night," "Caradonna," and "Rose Queen" are reliable varieties. Hates wet winter soil.
Companion plants
03Find salvia in your zone
06Zone-specific care, planting windows, and alternatives.
Place salvia in your real yard
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Frequently Asked Questions
01 How do I get a second bloom from my salvia?
Cut spent flower spikes back by half as soon as they fade. Within 2–3 weeks, fresh spikes push from the leaf axils. "May Night" and "Caradonna" reliably produce a second — and sometimes third — bloom flush with this treatment.
02 Is perennial salvia deer resistant?
Very. The aromatic foliage is strongly deer and rabbit resistant — one of the best for mammal-pressured gardens. Pair with catmint and Russian sage for a nearly deer-proof sunny border.
03 Why is my salvia flopping in the middle?
Overly rich soil or too much shade. Salvia wants lean, well-drained soil and full sun — rich conditions produce soft, floppy stems. If it's already flopping mid-season, shear back hard and it will regrow sturdier. Long term: move to a drier, sunnier spot.