Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

hardy salvias

Looking for colour, versatility, and reliability in your garden? Hardy salvias are a top pick for New Zealand gardeners who want low-maintenance plants that thrive through a range of conditions. If you’re searching for perennials that provide months of brilliant flowers, attract pollinators, tolerate dry spells, and shrug off a bit of neglect, add hardy salvias to your shortlist. With their aromatic foliage, long-lasting blooms, and impressive resilience, these plants deserve a pride of place in your garden design, whether you want to fill a border, create a feature, or refresh your pots.

Salvia 'Santa Barbara' shrub in a garden with dark pink flowers.

Salvia Santa Barbara (Mexican Sage)

Salvia 'Santa Barbara' is a compact and colourful perennial that produces masses of attractive flowers over an extended season. Its vibrant blooms bring long lasting colour to garden beds, borders, and containers while attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators. This hardy and easy care plant performs well in many New Zealand climates and is valued for its reliable flowering and tidy growth habit. Salvia 'Santa Barbara' is an excellent choice for gardeners wanting continuous colour with minimal maintenance.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.50 m
Flowering time: Summer, Autumn
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Culinary, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Salvia 'Riverton Red' plant with elegant red flowers and lush, green leaves.

Salvia 'Riverton Red'

Salvia 'Riverton Red' is a striking perennial prized for its vivid red flower spikes that bloom reliably from spring through autumn. This hardy, sun loving plant brings bold colour and excellent pollinator appeal to New Zealand gardens. With its compact form, long flowering season, and low maintenance nature, Salvia 'Riverton Red' is ideal for borders, cottage gardens, and mass planting. It is perfect for gardeners wanting continuous colour and easy care performance.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 75 cm
Spread: 75 cm
Flowering time: Summer, Autumn
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Culinary, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
salvia-la-siesta-
Salvia jamensis La Siesta

Salvia 'La Siesta' is a vibrant perennial admired for its masses of colourful flowers and long flowering season. This attractive plant brings energy...

From$27.53
salvia-african-sky-
Salvia African Sky

Salvia African Sky is an herbaceous perennial grown for its rich display of flowers from summer through autumn. It produces long, slender, flower...

From$27.53
Salvia Amistad with purple flowers and lush green foliage.
Salvia Amistad

Salvia Amistad is one of the purple Salvias grown for its rich display of flowers from summer through autumn. It produces long and slender, flower...

From$27.53
salvia-so-cool-violet-
Salvia So Cool Violet

Salvia So Cool Violet is a variety of Sage grown for its rich display of flowers from summer through autumn. It produces long and slender, flower...

From$27.53
Stunning, dark blue flowers on Salvia 'Blue Angel].
Salvia 'Blue Angel'

Salvia 'Blue Angel' is a beautiful perennial known for its soft blue flower spikes that appear generously across summer and autumn in New Zealand...

From$27.53
Salvia corrugata blue flowers and green foliage.
Salvia corrugata

Salvia corrugata is a stunning perennial shrub known for its deep blue flowers and textured, corrugated green foliage. This hardy ornamental salvia...

OUT OF STOCK
Salvia 'Amante' plant with dark pink flowers and lush, green foliage.
Salvia 'Amante'

Salvia 'Amante' is a spectacular perennial prized for its vivid magenta-red flowers and dark burgundy stems. Flowering from spring through autumn, it...

OUT OF STOCK
Salvia 'Ostfriesland' plant with masses of purple flowers about green foliage.
Salvia 'Ostfriesland'

Salvia 'Ostfriesland' is a compact and vibrant perennial prized for its deep violet-blue flower spikes that bloom from late spring through summer...

OUT OF STOCK
Salvia nemorosa plant with purple flowers.
Salvia nemorosa

Salvia nemorosa, commonly known as the Nemorosa plant, is an herbaceous perennial grown for its rich display of flowers from summer through autumn...

OUT OF STOCK
Salvia Jamensis White plant with white flowers and green foliage.
Salvia jamensis 'White' (White Sage)

Salvia jamensis 'White' (White Sage) is a beautiful perennial known for its elegant white flowers and aromatic foliage. The blooms appear over a long...

OUT OF STOCK
Salvia 'Glare' plant with white flowers.
Salvia Glare

Salvia 'Glare' is an herbaceous perennial that produces masses of showy, white flowers from spring until autumn. It grows to 70 cm tall and 1 m wide...

OUT OF STOCK
salvia-purple-
Salvia Purple

Salvia 'Purple' (Purple Sage) is a beautiful flowering perennial prized for its vibrant purple blooms and long flowering season. This attractive...

OUT OF STOCK
Salvia 'Blue Victory' blue flowers above lush, green foliage.
Salvia 'Blue Victory'

Salvia 'Blue Victory' is a striking perennial valued for its strong upright spikes of deep blue flowers that bloom from late spring well into autumn...

OUT OF STOCK
salvia-limelight-
Salvia 'Limelight' (Limelight Sage)

The Limelight sage, also known as the Mexican Limelight sage, is a stunning variety due to its rich display of flowers through autumn. It produces...

OUT OF STOCK
salvia-caradonna--1
Salvia Caradonna

Salvia Caradonna is a variety of Meadow Sage grown for its rich display of flowers from summer through autumn. It produces long and slender, flower...

OUT OF STOCK
salvia-victoria-
Salvia farinacea Victoria (Mealy Cup Sage)

Salvia farinacea Victoria is a variety of Mealy Cup Sage grown for its rich display of flowers from summer through autumn. It produces long and...

OUT OF STOCK
salvia-chiffon-
Salvia Chiffon (Chiffon Sage)

Chiffon sage is a stunning variety of Salvia due to its rich display of flowers from spring through autumn. It produces long and slender, flower...

OUT OF STOCK
Salvia 'Velocity Blue' blue flowers above lush, green foliage.
Salvia 'Velocity Blue'

Salvia 'Velocity Blue' is an exceptionally high performing salvia known for its vivid cobalt blue flower spikes that bloom continuously from late...

OUT OF STOCK
salvia-white-2
Salvia White

Salvia 'White' (White Texas Sage) is a beautiful perennial renowned for its masses of crisp white flowers and long flowering season. This versatile...

OUT OF STOCK
salvia-embers-wish--6
Salvia Embers Wish

Salvia Embers Wish is a variety of Sage grown for its rich display of flowers from summer through autumn. It produces long and slender, flower spikes...

OUT OF STOCK
salvia-coral-
Salvia Coral

Salvia Coral is a stunning variety of Sage due to its rich display of flowers from spring through autumn. It produces long and slender flower spikes...

OUT OF STOCK
Salvia 'Marcus' plant with green foliage and purple flowers.
Salvia Marcus

Salvia Marcus is a variety of Sage grown for its spires of striking flowers through summer. The stems rise above the lush, grey-green foliage to bear...

OUT OF STOCK
Salvia 'Merleau White' plant with white flowers.
Salvia Merleau White

Salvia Merleau White is a variety of Sage grown for its rich display of flowers from summer through autumn. It produces solid flower spikes with...

OUT OF STOCK
Salvia 'So Cool Pale Blue' plant in a pot with pale blue flowers.
Salvia 'So Cool Pale Blue'

Salvia 'So Cool Pale Blue' is a compact free flowering perennial admired for its soft pale blue blooms that appear continuously from spring through...

OUT OF STOCK
salvia-officinalis-purpurea-
Salvia officinalis Purpurea (Sage Herb)

Salviae officinalis Purpurea, commonly known as the familiar Sage Herb, plant is grown for its aromatic foliage and rich display of flowers from...

OUT OF STOCK
Salvia 'Waverly' plants growing in a border.
Salvia Waverly

Saliva Waverly, commonly known as the Waverly Sage, is grown for its rich display of flowers from summer through autumn. It produces long and slender...

OUT OF STOCK
Salvia 'Sallyfun Blue Emotion' plant with masses of blue flowers.
Salvia 'Sallyfun Blue Emotion'

Salvia 'Sallyfun Blue Emotion' is a long flowering perennial admired for its deep violet blue flower spikes that appear continuously from late spring...

OUT OF STOCK
Salvia chamaedryoides plant with blue flowers and grey-green foliage.
Salvia chamaedryoides

Salvia chamaedryoides, commonly known as Germander Sage, Oak Sage, and the Mexican Blue Sage plant, is a shrub grown for its rich display of flowers...

OUT OF STOCK
salvia-amore-
Salvia Amore

Salvia Amore is a variety of Sage grown for its rich display of flowers from summer through autumn. It produces long and slender, flower spikes that...

OUT OF STOCK
Salvia 'Sallyfun Sky Blue' white and blue flowers above lush, green foliage.
Salvia 'Sallyfun Sky Blue'

Salvia 'Sallyfun Sky Blue' is a standout perennial known for its abundant soft sky blue flower spikes that bloom from late spring right through...

OUT OF STOCK
Salvia Santa Barbara (Mexican Sage)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Salvia, or related Categories - Perennials.

Search hardy salvias

Why Choose Hardy Salvias?

Hardy salvias offer more than good looks—they stand out for their ability to cope with New Zealand’s variable climate. Most cope well with moderate frosts and will flower from spring through autumn, rewarding you with weeks of colour and movement as bees and butterflies flock to the blossoms. The variety within the group is staggering: whether you want rich purples, vivid reds, or soft blues, there’s a hardy salvia for every garden palette. Another bonus? These perennials are largely untroubled by pests and diseases, making them a fuss-free option for both new and experienced gardeners.

Top Hardy Salvia Varieties for NZ Gardens

If you’re ready to explore the wonderful world of hardy salvias, start with these standout varieties:

Growing and Caring for Hardy Salvias

Most hardy salvias are happiest in full sun and free-draining soil. Mix in some compost before planting and water deeply until established, then reduce watering—these plants handle dry spells well once their roots are down. Deadhead spent flowers to keep the display going and cut back hard in late winter to encourage fresh new growth. Hardy salvias don’t demand much, but an occasional feed with a balanced fertiliser will boost flowering.

Landscaping Ideas with Hardy Salvias

Incorporate hardy salvias into mixed perennial borders, mass plant them for a swathe of colour, or pair them with ornamental grasses for a relaxed, naturalistic look. Their rich nectar also makes them a top choice for wildlife-friendly gardens. Whether you choose Salvia corrugata, Salvia nemorosa, or one of the newer cultivars, you’ll enjoy garden interest long after other perennials have faded.

Add a bold splash of colour and robust charm to your garden by planting hardy salvias—your garden (and the bees) will thank you.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.8

445 Google reviews