Black Sage

Black Sage (Salvia discolor) is the collector's salvia: soft, silvery-white, blackcurrant-scented leaves topped with tubular flowers so deep purple they look black. It makes an airy, open plant 50cm to 1m high and wide, and in the wild it grows in just one small area of Peru. It asks for better soil and more care than the tougher salvias.

Why you'll love it

• Near-black flowers. Deep purple-black tubular blooms sit against silver foliage for a high-contrast pairing.
• Silver, scented leaves. The soft, silvery-white leaves smell of blackcurrant when brushed.
• Truly unusual. In nature it comes from a single small area of Peru, which makes it a talking point.
• Made for touch and scent. A natural for sensory gardens, where you want to brush past it.
• Pot friendly. Pots and tubs suit it and let you move it out of frost.

Where it works best

Sensory gardens. Plant 60cm apart beside a path or seat, where you can touch the leaves.

Mixed beds and cottage borders. The silver foliage links brighter colours and calms a busy planting.

Pots and tubs. A pot lets you give it the good soil it likes and shelter it in winter.

Growing Black Sage in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade or dappled shade. It is frost tender, so it suits subtropical and warm temperate gardens. Protect it from frost, and in colder areas grow it in a pot under cover over winter.

Soil. It tolerates most soil types but grows best on moist, well-drained loam. Enrich poor soil with compost before planting.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks. Fertilise regularly to keep it looking its best, as it is hungrier than the tougher salvias.

Pruning. An annual prune in early spring keeps it compact and healthy.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Black Sage as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly once it is in the ground. Tube plants are small. Pot them up or plant into prepared soil, water in and keep them out of frost while they grow.

Availability of the tube depends on our grower. It shows as sold out whenever none is on hand, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse salvias
• Plants for pots
• Perennial plants for a cottage garden
• Most fragrant plants for Australian gardens

Common questions

Is it hard to grow?

It is fussier than most salvias. It wants better soil, regular feeding and frost protection. Give it those and you get a plant that few gardens have.

Does it suit a pot?

Yes. Pots and tubs suit it well, because a good potting mix gives it the rich soil it prefers and you can move it out of frost.

Where does it come from?

In the wild it grows in one small area of Peru, which is part of its appeal for gardeners who like the unusual.