Salvia nutans aka Nodding Sage

Salvia nutans, or nodding sage, is a deciduous perennial. It belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae. Its native range runs from Hungary to the Caucasus. It grows in the steppes of eastern Europe. This temperate plant is not native to Britain or Ireland.

Large green leaves form a rosette at ground level. The foliage has a coarse look and forms a mound. Tall, thin flower spikes rise above this low base. Garden plants reach about 3.3–4.9 feet [1–1.5 metres] tall. Their spread ranges from 0.3–1.6 feet [0.1–0.5 metres]. The flower spikes alone can reach 3.3 feet [1 metre]. Plants take two to five years to reach full size.

The flowers hang in nodding clusters along the spikes. Their shades range from blue to violet and purple. These hanging blooms give nodding sage its common name. The RHS describes summer flowering. Chicago Botanic Garden lists blooms from July through October. The tall stems bring flowers well above the leaf mound. Cutting off spent spikes can help extend the flowering season. The plant attracts birds and butterflies, and deer tend to avoid it.

Grow nodding sage in soil that drains well. It suits loam, sand, and chalk with moderate fertility. It accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline soil. Full sun gives its preferred light, though it tolerates some shade. Keep the soil moist without leaving it waterlogged. Established plants need less water than plants still settling in. Both sheltered sites and exposed sites suit it. The RHS gives it a UK hardiness rating of H4. Chicago Botanic Garden lists USDA zones 6–9.

Use it in flower beds, borders, and informal cottage gardens. It also suits gravel, coastal, courtyard, and wildlife gardens. The RHS includes patios and containers among its uses. Its low leaves and tall blooms give it two clear layers. Divide plants in spring, or take semi-ripe cuttings in summer. Pests seldom cause trouble, but some diseases can occur. These include powdery mildew, verticillium wilt, and foot and root rots. Honey fungus is a less frequent risk.