Sage (Salvia 'Ultra Violet')
Salvia 'Ultra Violet' Sage is a low-maintenance herbaceous perennial offering striking violet-pink blooms from June through September.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Salvia ‘Ultra Violet’, a highly valued hybrid Sage, brings vibrant, long-lasting color to the garden border from mid-summer until the first hard frost. This variety is prized for its prolific violet-pink flowers and aromatic dark green foliage, making it a standout choice in perennial beds. It thrives with minimal intervention once established, fitting perfectly into low-maintenance landscape designs.
This herbaceous perennial typically reaches 1 to 1.5 feet tall with a spread of 1.5 to 2.5 feet, providing excellent texture and mid-scale structure. Its robust nature, combined with its appeal to vital pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds, adds ecological value alongside its strong aesthetic appeal. Gardeners seeking drought-tolerant perennials will find Salvia ‘Ultra Violet’ to be a rewarding addition.
The appeal of this Sage extends beyond color; its genus name, Salvia, derives from the Latin word for healing. While appreciated for its beauty, users should note the historical significance of this esteemed plant group. Planting Salvia ‘Ultra Violet’ ensures months of reliable color and supports local wildlife populations throughout the growing season.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Lamiaceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 6-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-1.5 ft
- Spread: 1.5-2.5 ft
- Bloom Time: June to September
- Bloom Description: Violet-pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For optimal performance, plant Salvia ‘Ultra Violet’ in the spring after the danger of frost has passed, or in the early fall. This Sage requires full sun, though it appreciates some light afternoon shade in the hottest summer climates to prevent stress. Ensure the location offers well-drained soils, as the plant prefers average moisture that is allowed to dry slightly between waterings; drainage is non-negotiable for long-term success.
Establishment requires more consistent care; water regularly until the root system is fully developed. Once established, this drought-tolerant selection needs less supplemental water, though regular moisture leads to the best bloom display. Fertilizing is rarely necessary if the native soil is reasonably fertile.
As a general cleanup ritual, cut back the foliage of your Salvia ‘Ultra Violet’ in early spring before new growth begins. Although listed as hardy down to Zone 6, gardeners in cooler regions, such as the St. Louis area, may benefit from applying a light layer of winter mulch to protect crowns through hard freezes.
Landscape Uses
Salvia ‘Ultra Violet’ shines as a reliable plant for defining edges and softening hardscapes. Its moderate size makes it perfectly suited for lining borders along walkways or integrating into the forefront of foundation plantings where its continuous bloom can be easily appreciated. The dense, medium-sized habit also prevents gaps from forming as seasons progress.
Containers offer an excellent venue for showcasing the intense violet-pink hues of this Sage, especially when paired with contrasting textures or colors like silvery foliage plants or bright yellow annuals. Furthermore, its ability to handle dry conditions means it thrives in mixed container plantings where water conservation is key. Ensure any container provides the excellent drainage essential for all Salvia varieties.
The plant’s strong vertical accent, combined with its pollinator appeal, makes it a cornerstone for informal cottage gardens or xeriscaping where water conservation is a priority. Integrate several plants for mass impact in a perennial border, ensuring they receive maximum sun exposure.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
The genus Salvia encompasses over 900 species worldwide, renowned for historical medicinal uses suggested by its Latin name meaning “to save or heal.” Salvia ‘Ultra Violet’ is a celebrated hybrid Sage, resulting from a natural cross between S. Lycioides and S. Greggii, developing into a compact form typically 18-20 inches tall. It offers continuous violet-pink blooms from mid-summer until frost, strongly attracting local butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden space.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Drought
Potential Problems
Watch for fungal issues such as leaf spot, powdery mildew, and stem rot, which primarily occur in conditions of high humidity or poor air circulation. Prevention is key; always ensure Salvia ‘Ultra Violet’ is planted in full sun with excellent drainage and adequate spacing between individuals to allow air to move freely around the foliage. If an outbreak occurs, promptly remove affected leaves and treat with an appropriate fungicide, focusing on drier cultural practices moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Sage suitable for?
Salvia ‘Ultra Violet’ is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 6 through 9, though some reports suggest successful overwintering in Zone 5b with adequate winter protection.
How large does Salvia ‘Ultra Violet’ grow?
This herbaceous perennial typically matures to a height between 1 and 1.5 feet tall, spreading out to a width of 1.5 to 2.5 feet at maturity.
When does Salvia ‘Ultra Violet’ bloom?
You can expect vibrant, violet-pink flowers from June all the way through September, often blooming continuously until the first frost arrives.
What sun exposure does Salvia ‘Ultra Violet’ need?
This plant performs best when positioned in full sun, though it benefits from a little relief from the most intense afternoon heat in very hot climates.
Conclusion
Salvia ‘Ultra Violet’ is an outstanding choice for gardeners seeking low-maintenance color and sustained wildlife interest throughout the summer season. Its drought endurance and low input requirements make this Sage variety a highly practical addition to sunny borders and containers. Before planting, confirm your garden location falls within USDA Zones 6-9 and ensure well-draining soil for years of beautiful violet-pink displays.
Wildlife Benefits
The prolific flowering habit of Salvia ‘Ultra Violet’ makes it magnet for beneficial insects. The tubular, nectar-rich violet-pink blossoms are perfectly shaped for long-tongued pollinators. Hummingbirds are particularly drawn to the vibrant color and continuous nectar supply offered by this perennial Sage from summer through fall.
Planting groups of Salvia ‘Ultra Violet’ rather than single specimens provides a larger, more visible target for pollinators, maximizing your garden’s ecological impact. Integrate this plant near seating areas to enjoy close-up views of visiting butterflies and hummingbirds throughout the blooming period of this excellent hybrid.
Companion Planting
Because Salvia ‘Ultra Violet’ thrives under conditions of full sun and dry to medium soil moisture, ideal companion plants share similar low-water needs and love the heat. Pair this Sage with other drought-tolerant heroes like ornamental grasses like Stipa tenuissima, or silvery-leaved perennials such as Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina). For textural contrast against the soft mound of the Sage, consider pairing it with spiky bloomers like Gaura or upright Alliums that have finished flowering.
