Salvia nemorosa ‘Viola Klose’ is a beautifully compact, hardy perennial known for its richly coloured violet-purple flower spikes and tidy, clump-forming habit. Flowering from early summer into autumn, it brings strong vertical interest, vibrant colour, and excellent pollinator value to borders and containers. With its neat growth and long flowering period, ‘Viola Klose’ is perfect for everyday gardeners seeking easy, long-lasting impact in sunny spaces.
Botanical name: Salvia nemorosa ‘Viola Klose’
Common name: Balkan Clary
Plant type: Hardy herbaceous perennial
Height: 50cm
Spread: 50cm
Flowering time: Early summer to early autumn (July to September)
Dense violet-purple flower spikes held on upright stems
Low-maintenance: Deadhead to extend flowering; cut back in spring
Hardiness: Hardy in the UK down to temperatures of -20 degrees Celcius (RHS hardiness rating H7)
‘Viola Klose’ is a tidy, upright perennial forming dense clumps of aromatic foliage. In early summer, upright stems rise from the base, bearing spires of intensely violet flowers that bloom in succession, attracting a constant buzz of pollinators. Its neat size and robust habit make it ideal for the front of borders, edging paths, or filling smaller planting spaces without overpowering neighbouring plants.
Position: Full sun is ideal for best flowering and compact growth.
Potted: Suitable for planting at any time of year when the ground is not frozen or waterlogged.
Soil: Prefers well-drained soil. Tolerant of light, sandy, or chalky soils; avoid heavy, soggy ground.
Planting Depth: Plant at the same level it was in the pot. Water well after planting.
Spacing: Allow 30–40cm between plants to ensure airflow and space to spread.
Excellent in Mediterranean-style gardens, sunny beds, or gravel planting schemes.
This is an easy-care perennial that thrives with minimal attention. Deadhead spent flower spikes regularly to encourage continued blooming throughout the season. After the first flush, a light trim may encourage a second wave of flowers. In early spring, cut back all old stems close to the base to allow fresh new growth to emerge. Once established, it’s drought-tolerant and rarely troubled by pests or diseases.
Ideal for sunny borders, rock gardens, and wildlife-friendly planting
Works well in containers or as edging for paths and gravel gardens
Pairs beautifully with ornamental grasses, sedums, echinacea, and lavender
A valuable addition to pollinator gardens, attracting bees and butterflies
Suitable for compact planting areas, small gardens, and formal layouts
Excellent in group plantings for a block of vibrant seasonal colour
Salvia ‘Viola Klose’ is a refined yet resilient perennial, offering deep colour and strong form from early summer well into autumn. Its compact size and ease of care make it a go-to choice for everyday gardeners looking for beauty, structure, and pollinator-friendly planting in sun-filled spaces. A reliable gem for borders, containers, and beyond.
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.