Intense™ Salvia

Intense Salvia (Salvia hybrid) is a tough, red flowered salvia that grows 75cm high and 70cm wide, with lush foliage and abundant intense red flowers. Bred by Ozbreed, it survived six years of Windsor's varied temperatures in trials with no observed self seeding. It suits beds, borders and mass planting in every state.

Why you'll love it

• A proven survivor. It came through six years of Windsor's varied temperatures in Ozbreed's trials.
• Intense red flowers. Abundant, deep red blooms sit over robust foliage.
• No self seeding. No seedlings were observed in trials, so it should not pop up where you do not want it.
• Drought tolerant once established. It endures harsh conditions without fuss.
• Listed for every state. Ozbreed lists it for all states and territories.

Where it works best

Mass planting. Plant 60cm apart so the 70cm clumps just meet. The result is a dense block of red with a tidy outline.

Borders along paths. A single row at 60cm gives a vivid, even edge.

Cottage garden accent. Set clumps among softer plants, where the red flowers stand out.

Colour contrast. Red reads strongest against silver, blue or dark green foliage, so pair it with grey leaved natives, dark mulch or a clipped green hedge.

Growing Intense Salvia in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. Ozbreed lists it for every state and territory, so it suits climates from tropical to cool temperate, Mediterranean and arid.

Soil. Free draining soil suits it. It is not fussy within that, but wet clay is the main risk, so raise the bed if needed. On sandy ground, dig in compost to help it hold moisture.

Water and feed. Regular watering supports the richness of the bloom, and once established it is drought tolerant. Keep the water up while it settles in, and mulch the bed to keep the roots cool through summer.

Pruning. Minimal. Prune after flowering to tidy the shape if you want to.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Intense Salvia in 100mm pots in packs of 10. Ten plants at 60cm spacing make a row about 6m long. They arrive upright and settle in within a few weeks, with new growth in warm weather.

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 the full salvia range
• See the full Ozbreed range
• Plants for mass planting
• Bee and butterfly friendly plants

Common questions

Will it self seed?

None was observed in Ozbreed's trials, which makes it a tidy choice beside lawns and paths.

When should I prune it?

After flowering, and only if you want to tidy the shape. It needs little else.

Where can I grow it?

Ozbreed lists it for Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT, Tasmania, the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia, so it suits almost any garden in the country.

How is it different from Super Pink?

Both are Ozbreed salvias. Intense is the taller red at 75cm and is described as the lower maintenance of the two, while Super Pink is a compact 50cm plant.