Golden Fountain Forsythia Sage

Golden Fountain Forsythia Sage (Salvia madrensis 'Golden Fountain') is a tall, soft leaved perennial that lights up the garden in autumn with warm yellow flowers. It grows 1 to 2m high and about 1.5m wide, so it needs room. Bees, butterflies and birds work the flowers from autumn until the first frosts.

Why you'll love it

• Yellow when borders are winding down. Warm yellow tubular flowers arrive in autumn and keep coming until the first frosts, when plenty of summer plants have finished.
• Real height in one season. At 1 to 2m it fills the back of a bed with a tall, leafy clump, then regrows to full size again each year after a hard prune.
• Large, soft leaves. The foliage is bigger and softer than on most sages, so the plant looks lush well before the flowers open.
• Pollinators arrive in numbers. Bees, butterflies and birds visit the yellow flowers, which makes it useful beside a vegetable patch.
• Easy to renew. Cut it hard back in early spring and it rebuilds a fresh clump, so an overgrown plant is never a problem.

Where it works best

The back of a border. Plant 1.2m apart so the clumps knit together by the second season. Its height shows over lower plants, and the yellow lifts a bed of purple and blue flowers.

Mixed and cottage beds. Pair it with autumn flowering asters and low blue salvias, which flower at the same time and set off the gold.

Wildlife and kitchen gardens. Beside vegetables and herbs it brings pollinators in at a time when nectar can be scarce.

Growing Golden Fountain Forsythia Sage in Australia

Position and climate. Sun to semi shade. It does best in warm gardens, from the subtropics through the warm temperate south, and the flowers end with the first frosts. It may come through a light frost, but where frosts are heavier expect the top growth to die back and reshoot from the base in spring.

Soil. Rich, well drained soil is ideal. Work compost through the bed before planting and mulch afterwards.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks. In dry climates water weekly through summer. Feed in spring with a slow release fertiliser, and add a seaweed boost during the summer heat.

Pruning. Clip over after flowering to encourage fresh growth and perhaps a second flush of flowers. Then cut the whole plant hard back in early spring.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Golden Fountain Forsythia Sage as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button emails you the day it is back.

Plants travel upright and settle fast. Plant out soon after delivery, water in well and mulch the soil. Because this sage grows tall, allow its full width when you plant rather than crowding it into a gap.

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 our salvia range
• More plants for bees and butterflies
• Other flowering plants
• How to create a cottage garden

Common questions

How tall will it grow?

Between 1 and 2m, and about 1.5m wide, so it suits the back of a bed rather than the front. Allow space for the full spread.

When does it flower?

In autumn. The warm yellow flowers keep appearing until the first frosts, and a clip after flowering can bring a second flush.

How do I prune it?

Clip over after flowering, then cut the whole plant hard back in early spring. It regrows from the base into a fresh, tall clump.