Midnight Purple Woodland Sage

Midnight Purple Woodland Sage (Salvia nemorosa 'Midnight Purple') is a bushy, fast growing perennial that stays compact at 20 to 30cm high and 40 to 50cm wide. Dark stems hold spikes of deep purple flowers clear of a mound of soft green leaves through the warmer months. It is the sage for cold gardens, frost hardy and happy in dappled shade as well as sun.

Why you'll love it

• Deep purple colour. Dense spikes of dark purple flowers on equally dark stems give a strong hit of colour for such a small plant.
• Frost hardy. It thrives in cold gardens, with reports of it flourishing down to about minus 18C, which suits the snowfields and the high country.
• Sun or dappled shade. It is called the woodland sage because it grows at woodland edges in its eastern European home, so part shade suits it.
• Loved by pollinators. Bees and butterflies work the nectar rich flowers through the warmer months.
• Compact and quick. A bushy habit that fills out fast makes it a good fit for pots and small beds.

Where it works best

Cottage borders and prairie style beds. It sits well alongside grasses and other prairie perennials. Plant 40cm apart for a continuous band of colour.

Pots and tubs. The small size suits a patio pot with a free draining mix, in sun or light shade.

Pollinator gardens. A drift of three or five plants gives bees and butterflies a reliable place to feed.

Growing Midnight Purple Woodland Sage in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun or part shade. It is deciduous over winter in cold climates, dying back and reshooting in spring, while in mild districts it keeps more leaf. It does best in cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens. In hot, humid summers a Mexican sage is the more dependable choice.

Soil. Most soil types suit it, with heavy clay the one to avoid. Improve drainage or raise the bed if your ground stays wet.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks. Fertilise regularly to keep it looking its best.

Pruning. Give it an annual hard prune after flowering and add fresh mulch. This encourages new flowering stems.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Midnight Purple Woodland Sage as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tubes suit a large drift, while the potted packs give a fuller first season. Plant out soon after delivery and keep the soil moist while the roots settle.

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
• More frost hardy plants
• Plants for cool climates
• Plants for native bees in Australian gardens

Common questions

Does it die back in winter?

In cold climates, yes. The top growth dies down over winter and returns in spring. In milder districts it keeps more of its leaf.

How cold can it go?

It is frost hardy. Reports put it thriving in cold down to about minus 18C, so it suits mountain gardens.

Can I plant it in shade?

Dappled shade suits it, though flowering is strongest in a sunny position.