Plant profile
Botanical name: Salvia nemorosa
German name: Steppe sage
Family: Labiates (Lamiaceae)
Flowering time: June-September
Blossoms: pink, white, purple or blue
Foliage: dark green, finely toothed, aromatic fragrance
Growth habit: upright stems, bushy, 30 to 60 centimetres
Origin: Central Europe
Close-up of the steppe sage
The hardy steppe sage is a purely ornamental perennial and should therefore not be confused with true sage, which is edible. Salvia nemorosa is a deciduous steppe sage that flowers in bright colours from June to September. During the flowering period, the scent of Salvia nemorosa attracts many bees and butterflies and allows the nature lover to observe the hustle and bustle. The steppe sage likes a bright location and direct sunlight — the more sun the plant receives, the more profusely it flowers. It prefers a moderately nutrient-rich and water-permeable soil.
Steppe sage in garden design
With its impressive, almost architectural flower shape, Salvia nemorosa creates varied contrasts when combined with other flower shapes, structures or silvery-leaved plants such as Achillea or various ornamental grasses such as 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 interplay of colours. The steppe sage also cuts a fine figure on its own.
