Salvia nemorosa aka Woodland Sage

Salvia nemorosa is a perennial herb in the mint family. It lives for more than one year. Its names include woodland sage, violet sage, and Balkan clary. Its native range spans Europe, western Siberia, and Afghanistan. It grows in temperate regions. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. The name nemorosa refers to woods. This plant grows in clumps and sheds its leaves each year.

Garden plants grow about 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre] tall. They spread about 1.6–2 feet [0.5–0.6 metres], depending on the source. The green stems are square in cross-section. They bear leaves in pairs. The leaves are green or grey-green and have wrinkled surfaces. Their edges have teeth or rounded scallops. Leaves may be heart-shaped, oblong, or shaped like a lance. Crush the leaves to release their scent. Plants take two to five years to reach full size.

Small flowers have lips and grow in rings called whorls. These crowd along upright, branching flower stems called racemes. The blooms stand above the leaves. Reddish-purple bracts sit below them. Blue and violet are the main flower colours. RHS also lists pink and white flowers for the species. Bloom starts in late spring or summer. It can last into autumn. Bees and butterflies visit the flowers, as do hummingbirds. Cut off old flower spikes to help bring more blooms. The fruit is a schizocarp with four chambers. Each chamber holds one small nutlet.

The plant grows best in full sun. Light shade suits it too. Choose soil that drains well but holds some moisture. It prefers sand or gravel. It accepts many other soils that drain well. Acid, neutral, and alkaline soils all suit it. Once settled in, plants cope with drought and dry soil. Spring mulch suits its needs, as does soil rich in organic matter. RHS gives it a cold hardiness rating of H7. Chicago Botanic Garden lists USDA zones 4–8 for the species. Grow new plants from seed or stem cuttings. You can also split plants in spring.

Woodland sage suits borders, cottage gardens, meadow plantings, and paths. Groups add colour and draw pollinators. It also suits gravel gardens, city gardens, and containers. Deer and rabbits tend to leave it alone. Care is simple, and serious problems are rare. Slugs, snails, and aphids may attack it. Whiteflies and scale may attack it too. Diseases may include mildew, leaf spot, and rust. Wilt and root rots are also risks. Honey fungus poses a rare risk. Turkish medicine has used the leaves on the body to help stop bleeding. The supplied sources do not show whether it serves as food or is toxic.