Salvia plants – more info
Salvias are rewarding plants to grow, with vivid colours, long flowering period, and ability to attract bees and other pollinators. Varieties range from tall, architectural forms to compact plants ideal for containers – there’s a Salvia to suit almost every garden style and size. Many types offer aromatic foliage, and some – like the ever-popular ‘Hot Lips’ – have become modern classics, bringing striking bi-colour blooms and reliable performance to borders and pots alike.
They're excellent pollinator-friendly plants. Whether you’re designing a wildlife-friendly space, looking to brighten up a patio container, or planning a border with long-lasting colour, Salvias deserve a place in your planting plan.
Browse the full range to find the best Salvias for your garden, from bold statement varieties to compact, colourful types ideal for smaller spaces.
Which Salvia varieties bloom for the longest period?
For an extended display, Salvia ‘Amistad’ is one of the best. Its rich, purple blooms appear from May to the first frosts, flowering steadily without much deadheading. Salvia ‘Hot Lips’ is another reliable performer, flowering in red and white from early summer right through to October. The striking red-and-white blooms change with temperature, sometimes producing all-red or all-white flowers, adding even more interest over time.
What are the best compact Salvias for pots or small gardens?
If you’re looking for compact Salvias to grow in pots, containers or smaller garden spaces, Suttons has a few varieties that are ideal. Salvia nemorosa ‘Marcus’ is a dwarf, hardy perennial that reaches just 25–30cm tall forming a compact clump topped with dense violet-blue flower spikes – perfect for borders, patios and raised beds. Salvia greggii ‘Blue Note’ stays compact at around 30–40cm and produces masses of deep blue blooms from midsummer into autumn.
Which Salvias are best for attracting pollinators?
Salvias are nectar-rich and have a long blooming season, making them great for attracting pollinators. Salvia ‘Amistad’ is a tall, cultivar with deep purple flowers that attract bumblebees. Salvia 'Salvatore Deep Blue' is a hardy perennial salvia with a relatively compact habit, producing deep blue spikes that butterflies, hoverflies and bees love.
