Salvia Pratensis Sage

Salvia Pratensis is perennial violet-hued sage much loved by bees and butterflies. It is more commonly known as Meadow Sage or Wild Sage. Growing in clumps, Salvia Pratensis is a woody- stemmed, tough garden perennial that will re-grow year upon year with minimal fuss. It has wrinkled, oval- shaped leaves with an aromatic scent. Attractive bright violet blooms appear on 20 centimetres erect stems in the early summer months. These flowers measure two to three centimetres across and a second flush is easily achieved in late summer to early autumn if faded blooms are promptly dead-headed. A saliva clump will grow to a metre in height if the soil conditions are suitable, and will spread over half a metre. It will take two to five years to reach these dimensions, but you can keep the clumps smaller by pruning them back. 

How Hardy Is Salvia Pratensis?
Salvia Pratensis is very hardy. It will survive the cold winter months and re-grow in the spring. It does prefer drier conditions and may rot in consistently water-logged soils.
How To Use Salvia Pratensis
Salvia Pratensis is a useful addition to the middle of a wildlife-friendly flower bed. It is low maintenance but extremely attractive to bees and other pollinators. Its second flush of flowers provides food for bees in late autumn when other blooms have finished. It pairs well with Rudbeckia and ornamental grasses. 
Salvia Pratensis is particularly good in a container and this enables you to move the container around to cover dull spots. Try placing it in your seating area for a close up of the bees and butterflies it will attract.
How To Care For Salvia Pratensis
Salvia Pratensis requires little care and will grow in the majority of soils. It does prefer humus-rich soils that are moist and well-drained soils, but it is very tolerant of ordinary growing conditions. To achieve the best flower display Meadow Sage needs full sun, but it will cope well with partial shade too. 
Pruning Salvia Pratensis is not necessary unless you want to restrict its height. Cut out dead flowers for a second autumn flush, and cover its roots with a thick layer of well-rotted compost in early spring for a healthy plant that flowers freely. 
Salvia Pratensis is a popular choice for gardeners who want vibrant wildlife-attracting plants that require little attention.