What soil does Woodland sage grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, sandy, calcareous.

Is Woodland sage hardy?

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

When does Woodland sage flower?

Flowering: May–September, purple, blue, pink, white.

How much water does Woodland sage need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

How much does Woodland sage cost?

It sells for roughly €4 to €10 in local shops, depending on size.

Woodland sage

Salvia nemorosa

Woodland sage (Salvia nemorosa) is a perennial. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Sold in local shops from about €4.

Illustration of Woodland sage — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A tough perennial of dry loess grasslands whose garden cultivars carry dense, upright spikes of violet, blue, pink or white in early summer, always busy with bees. It wants sun and rather poor, well-drained soil and shrugs off drought; in rich, moist ground it grows lanky and flops. Cut it back to the basal leaves after the first flush and it flowers again in late summer. Cultivars differ in height and colour: 'Ostfriesland' and 'Blauhügel' are 40 to 50 cm tall in violet and blue, 'Mainacht' is an early, dark indigo, 'Schneehügel' is white, 'Rose Queen' pink, and the Sensation and Marcus series stay at just 25 to 30 cm for edging and pots.

Watch out for

In rich or irrigated soil, or in part shade, the stems fall open by midsummer; cutting back puts this right. In humid, crowded spots powdery mildew, leaf spot and rust can appear, occasionally aphids and whitefly too, though rarely seriously. In soil that stays waterlogged in winter the crown can rot.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Low
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 60 cm × 50 cm
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D May–September, purple, blue, pink, white

Group	Perennial
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	60 cm × 50 cm
Ultimate size	30–90 cm × 30–60 cm
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	May–September, purple, blue, pink, white
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no data
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	40 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	no data
Typical price	from about €4

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
10-15 cm	approx. €5
20-30 cm	approx. €8
size not stated	approx. €4.90

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Perennials for full sun Perennials that flower all summer Drought-tolerant plants Drought-tolerant perennials Drought-tolerant plants for sandy soil Perennials for pollinators Plants for containers Low-maintenance perennials Fragrant plants Fragrant perennials

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