Salvia ‘Nachtvlinder’
Salvia ‘Nachtvlinder’ is a beautifully compact, aromatic perennial prized for its deep, velvety purple flowers and long blooming season. Its name means “Night Butterfly” in Dutch, perfectly reflecting the rich, moody tones of its blooms, which flutter above mounds of softly scented foliage from late spring into autumn. Ideal for small gardens, pots, and sunny borders, this elegant salvia offers colour, fragrance, and pollinator appeal with minimal upkeep.
Key Features
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Botanical name: Salvia ‘Nachtvlinder’
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Common name: Nachtvlinder sage
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Plant type: Half-hardy herbaceous perennial
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Height: 75cm
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Spread: 50cm
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Flowering time: Late spring to autumn (June to October)
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Deep violet-purple flowers with dark calyces on upright stems
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Compact, bushy habit perfect for borders and containers
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Low-maintenance: Deadhead to prolong flowering; cut back in spring
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Hardiness: Hardy in the UK down to temperatures of -15 to -10 degrees Celcius (RHS hardiness rating H5)
Growth & Habit
‘Nachtvlinder’ grows into a neat, rounded clump with a softly branching structure. Its upright flower stems emerge above the foliage, each adorned with rich, velvety purple blooms that deepen in colour as they mature. The foliage is fragrant when brushed and helps deter pests, while the plant’s tidy form makes it ideal for edging, compact borders, or patio pots.
Planting Advice
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Position: Full sun is best for flowering and overall vigour.
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Potted: Plant year-round in mild weather, avoiding frozen or waterlogged ground.
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Soil: Prefers well-drained soil, whether loamy, sandy, or chalky. Avoid heavy clay unless improved.
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Planting Depth: Plant at the same depth it was growing in the pot. Firm in and water well.
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Spacing: Space plants around 40–50cm apart to allow for airflow and natural spread.
Perfect for planting near seating areas where its colour and scent can be enjoyed up close.
Care & Maintenance
Salvia ‘Nachtvlinder’ is easy to maintain. Deadhead faded flowers to promote continuous blooming through the summer. In colder regions, protect the base with mulch or bring pots into a sheltered location before the first frost. In early spring, cut back all old growth to encourage fresh, bushy new shoots. Drought-tolerant once established, but water during prolonged dry spells, particularly in containers.
Uses in the Garden
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Ideal for sunny borders, cottage gardens, and Mediterranean-style schemes
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Excellent in pots and containers for patios or balconies
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Adds depth and richness to colour-themed borders and wildlife-friendly planting
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Pairs well with grasses, sedums, lavender, and other salvias
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Suitable for smaller gardens or tight spaces where compact growth is needed
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A reliable choice for attracting bees and butterflies over a long season
Salvia ‘Nachtvlinder’ offers a delightful mix of drama and elegance in a compact, easy-care package. With its deep purple blooms, aromatic foliage, and long flowering period, it brings beauty and biodiversity to gardens of all sizes. A must-have for gardeners looking for striking colour and simple maintenance in a sunny spot.
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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In stock
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£6.99 |