Amistad Sage Plants

Salvia 'Amistad'. 2 Litre Potted Plants

Amistad Sage's vivid purple flowers really pop in contrast with the almost black stems, and the flowering period is top notch: at least June to October, and in ideal conditions with good care, May to November is possible. The leaves are a bit greener than a lot of other sages. Good for bees. To 1m x 50cm

Browse our range of Salvia varieties or all of our perennial plants.

Features

• Colour: Vivid purple flowers, almost black stems
• Flowering: June to October / November
• Foliage: Deciduous, light green
• Height: 1m x 50cm
• Position: Sunny, sheltered
• Any well drained soil, likes chalk
• RHS Plants for Pollinators
• RHS Award of Garden Merit

Growing Amistad Sage

Salvias need close to full sun, and will grow near the coast in exposed locations. They are fully hardy, although their flowering season will be shortened somewhat in cold and windy places. They are happy on chalk, and like a light, well-drained but moist soil enriched with humus that doesn't remain wet in winter, so heavy clay is not good. They are perfect for a Mediterranean or gravel garden, and are great in large containers. Established plants are drought resistant, but still want fairly consistent moisture in dry summer periods to flower really well.
They are perfect for a Mediterranean or gravel garden, and are great in large containers.

Deadhead promptly to get the most from the flowering season. Leave the withered foliage on the plants overwinter for protection, and trim them after the last spring frost, right down to new growth.

Mulch lightly every year or two, ideally after a heavy spring rain when the soil has warmed up. Salvias don't need much fertility, so a little help goes a long way.

In Your Garden Design

Salvia Armistad is brilliant for adding rich colour and form to the back of a border. Combine it with Dahlia Totally Tangerine or Sylvia for a wow factor colour scheme. For a quieter palette, try the delicate Rosa ‘The Simple Life’ or the more bouncy It's a Wonderful Life, which is inspiring simply by virtue of its name.

Did You Know?

Armistad was originally found in an Argentinian garden by professor Ronaldo Uria at the Buenos Aires School of Agriculture. In Spanish the name means friendship (it is sometimes sold as Friendship Sage in other English-speaking countries), and professor Uria made some effort to distribute free samples of it to botanical friends around the world so that it could be both studied and appreciated by everyone!

It is probably a variety of Salvia guaranitica, but at the time of writing we don't think that is officially confirmed.

Position in full sun in well-drained soil enriched with humus planting 60cm apart. Water until established then drought tolerant. Avoid spots affected by winter waterlogging. Protect from slugs. Suitable for containers.

Apply a general fertiliser and a mulch in spring. Protect against slugs and snails. Deadhead to prolong flowering. Divide in spring.