Plant profile
Botanical name: Salvia nemorosa
German name: Steppensalbei
Family: Lippenblütler (Lamiaceae)
Flowering time: June-September
Flowers: pink, white, purple or blue
Foliage: dark green, finely toothed, aromatic fragrance
Growth habit: ascending stems, bushy, 30 to 60 centimeters
Origin: Central Europe
Detail of the steppe sage
The hardy steppe sage is a purely ornamental perennial and should therefore not be confused with the true sage, which is edible. Salvia nemorosa is a deciduous steppe sage that blooms in vibrant color from June to September. During the blooming season, the fragrance of Salvia nemorosa attracts many bees and butterflies, allowing the inclined nature lover to observe a flurry of activity. The steppe sage likes a bright location and direct sun - the more sun the plant receives, the more abundant the flowering will be. It prefers a moderately nutrient-rich and water-permeable soil.
Steppe sage in garden design
With its impressive, almost architectural flower shape, Salvia nemorosa triggers varied contrasts together with other flower shapes, structures or silvery-leaved plants such as Achillea, or various ornamental grasses like Miscanthus sinensis. This low-maintenance perennial also looks attractive in rose beds: the roses bloom for weeks at a time with the steppe sage, creating an interesting play of colors. The steppe sage also cuts a good figure on its own.
