Salvia 'Amethyst'
Salvia 'Amethyst' is a beautifully refined variety of ornamental sage, known for its vivid violet-purple flower spikes and long-lasting summer display. A compact, bushy perennial, it brings vibrant colour, graceful form, and pollinator appeal to any garden space. Whether planted in borders, gravel gardens, or containers, this low-maintenance favourite is a reliable and eye-catching performer.
At a Glance
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Type: Herbaceous perennial
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Flower Colour: Rich violet-purple
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Foliage: Aromatic, mid-green, lance-shaped leaves
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Height: 1m (3ft)
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Spread: 75cm (2.5ft)
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Flowering Time: Early summer to early autumn (June to August)
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Hardiness: Hardy in the UK down to temperatures of -10 degrees Celcius (RHS hardiness rating H4).
Vibrant Violet-Purple Blooms
Salvia 'Amethyst' produces an abundance of upright flower spikes that shimmer with bold purple tones from early summer right through to the first frosts. The tall, slender spikes rise elegantly above the foliage, creating a soft yet striking vertical accent in mixed borders. These blooms not only add colour and movement but also serve as a valuable nectar source for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Compact and Bushy Habit
This variety of Salvia forms a compact, rounded mound of aromatic foliage, making it ideal for the front of borders or for growing in pots on patios and balconies. Its tidy habit ensures it won't overwhelm neighbouring plants, making it a versatile addition to both formal and informal planting schemes.
Low Maintenance and Drought Tolerant
Salvia 'Amethyst' is exceptionally easy to care for and well-suited to drier garden conditions. Once established, it requires little watering and thrives in poor to moderately fertile soils, making it a great choice for busy gardeners or those creating low-maintenance borders. Regular deadheading will help extend the flowering period and keep the plant looking tidy.
Planting Tips
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Soil: Prefers well-drained soil and tolerates dry, sandy, or gravelly soils well. Avoid heavy clay unless improved with grit or organic matter.
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Potted: Salvia grown in pots can be planted at any time of the year providing the ground is not frozen or waterlogged
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Watering: Water well after planting and during prolonged dry spells in its first year. Once established, it is drought tolerant.
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Position: Full sun is essential for best flowering and strong growth.
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Feeding: A light application of compost or a slow-release fertiliser in spring will support healthy growth.
Attractive to Wildlife
As with many Salvias, 'Amethyst' is particularly attractive to pollinating insects. Its tubular flowers are especially favoured by bees and butterflies, making it a great plant for wildlife gardens and those aiming to support biodiversity.
Long-Lasting Structure and Colour
The flowers of Salvia 'Amethyst' are long-lived and maintain their colour well, even in hot, sunny conditions. The stems are strong and upright, which also makes them excellent for cutting and including in floral arrangements. As the season progresses, the dark stems and persistent foliage continue to offer structure and colour even when not in peak bloom.
Pruning and Care
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Cut back flower spikes as they fade to prolong flowering
Versatile and Reliable
Salvia 'Amethyst' suits a wide variety of garden styles:
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Cottage gardens, where it blends well with other perennials and classic favourites
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Mediterranean or gravel gardens, where its drought resistance and vivid colour make it a standout choice
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Contemporary designs, where its clean lines and saturated tones offer contrast
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Container planting, offering a splash of colour on patios, balconies, or terraces
Hardiness and Winter Protection
Salvia 'Amethyst' is hardy in most parts of the UK, withstanding temperatures down to around -10°C. In colder or exposed areas, a mulch of compost or bark over the root zone in late autumn can help protect the crown during winter. Good drainage is key to preventing winter losses, so avoid planting in soggy or poorly drained soil.
Why Choose Salvia 'Amethyst'?
With its bold colour, compact size, and excellent drought tolerance, Salvia 'Amethyst' is an ideal perennial for gardeners looking to add summer-long interest without the need for high maintenance. Its appeal to pollinators, tidy habit, and ease of care make it a valuable addition to any garden, large or small.
Plant Salvia 'Amethyst' for a garden that bursts into vibrant colour and supports nature at the same time – a perfect blend of beauty and purpose.
Buying Perennials from Jacksons Nurseries
At Jacksons Nurseries we lightly trim back our perennials after flowering and trim them back at the end of the season to ensure that the plants remain neat and tidy whilst in the pot. The more tender the plant the less we cut back to help protect exposed stems from winter frost. Depending on the plant variety we will then prune back further in spring once the risk of the more severe frosts is over.
As a result, depending on the time of year you buy perennials, they may not look like images showing their ‘prime time’ in flower and looking at their best.
From late autumn onwards and dependent on variety, there may be very little visible above the soil except for a few cut back dormant leaves or stems. It is perfectly normal for dormant plants to look like this from autumn onwards, they will however burst back into life in spring.
Availability: Stock availability figures are provided as a guide only. There is a delay between orders being placed and the plants being gathered by our pulling team. During this time it may be possible for a member of the public to purchase these plants from our Garden Centre, while this is rare it is a possibility and we will notify you of any problems as soon as possible. This figure may also include plants that have not yet be flagged as unsaleable.
Pre-order: Pre-order times are given as a guide only and may vary dependent on the growing season. Orders containing Pre-ordered products will be shipped as a single order when all items become available. Large orders may be part shipped, please contact us on 01782 502741 or email sales@jacksonsnurseries.co.uk.
Perennials are described and classified differently by different gardeners but all would agree that they are plants that come into flower every year from early spring to late summer, the exact time dependent on variety and most die back to ground level in autumn and winter.
As for all plants, soil preparation is time well spent. Dig over the area to be planted ensuring that the ground is free draining. If not then you may wish to either consider planting in a different spot or raising the level of the planting area by adding additional topsoil, well rotted garden compost and/or well rotted manure. Add ‘Fish, Blood and Bone’ fertiliser or a high potash fertiliser to encourage good root growth and development.
It’s always a good idea to plant a few of the same plant together, we recommend planting in 3’s or 5’s to provide a bold effect but allowing them plenty of room to develop.
Always check eventual plant heights when planning borders to ensure that the taller plants are at the back (or at the centre of an island bed) followed by the medium and then smaller low growing plants.
Remember to deadhead perennials after flowering, trim back lightly in autumn as required to tidy the border and if necessary trim again in spring once the risk of heavy frost has passed.
If perennials get too big, start to flower less and less or if it seems to be dying off from the centre, consider dividing the plant but always check that the particular variety is happy to be divided and that you divide at the right time of year for the plant.
By using this simple guide and a little time, perennials can make an absolutely spectacular difference to your garden.
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£9.99 |