Grandstand Lipstick Lavender Flowering Sage

Grandstand Lipstick Lavender Flowering Sage (Salvia splendens 'Grandstand Lipstick Lavender') is a compact, bushy salvia of 45cm to 60cm high and 30cm to 40cm wide that flowers from spring right through to autumn. Pale pink-white flower spikes carry distinctive lilac-purple tubular flowers that pop out of the white outer petals, a soft two-tone look for cottage borders and pots. Bees and butterflies work it all season.

Why you'll love it

• Two-tone blooms. Lilac-purple tubular flowers emerge from pale pink-white outer petals, giving each spike a softly painted look.
• Spring to autumn colour. Flower spikes keep coming from spring right through to autumn, which covers most of the growing year.
• Neat and bushy. Dense foliage and a compact habit keep beds and pots looking tidy.
• Bees and butterflies. The tubular flowers draw pollinators all season, so the planting hums with life.
• Fast to colour. It is a quick growing plant that puts on its display within a single season.

Where it works best

Cottage style beds and borders. Plant 30cm apart in drifts so the spikes knit into a block of soft colour. It pairs well with silver foliage, white daisies and deeper purples.

Pots and tubs. The neat habit suits a large pot or a pair of tubs by the door. Use a light, free draining potting mix and feed during summer.

Wildlife gardens. A reliable source of nectar from spring to autumn for bees and butterflies.

Growing Grandstand Lipstick Lavender Flowering Sage in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade suits it, in light, free draining soil. It tolerates overnight frost once established but needs protection from hard frost. It does best in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens; in cold districts, mulch it well in winter or treat it as a summer plant.

Soil. Choose light, free draining soil. Dig in compost on poor ground and avoid sites where water sits after rain.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks. Fertilise in spring with a slow release fertiliser, and give an extra boost in the summer heat with seaweed solution.

Pruning. Cut back after flowering to encourage fresh growth and more flowers.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Grandstand Lipstick Lavender Flowering Sage as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. Tubes are economical for filling a border, and the young plants grow quickly once the weather warms. Expect a small, leafy plant that is not yet in full flower, with the first spikes appearing as it bulks up.

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

• More salvias for the garden
• Bee and butterfly friendly plants
• Perennial plants for a cottage garden
• Plants for pots and containers

Common questions

How long does it flower?

From spring right through to autumn. Cutting it back after the main flowering encourages fresh growth and more flower spikes.

Will it survive frost?

It tolerates overnight frost once established, but hard frost can damage it. Mulch in winter to keep the soil warm, and protect young plants.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes. It is compact enough for tubs and large pots. Use a light, free draining potting mix, keep the moisture even and feed through summer.