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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 '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.

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-wendys-wish-

Salvia 'Wendy's Wish'

5 from 3 customers

Salvia 'Wendy's Wish' is a spectacular perennial admired for its vibrant pink flowers and aromatic green foliage that provide colour from late spring until autumn. It is an excellent choice for borders, cottage gardens, containers, and pollinator friendly landscapes.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 70 cm
Flowering time: Summer, Autumn
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern
salvia-african-sky-
Salvia 'African Sky'

Salvia 'African Sky' is a stunning perennial valued for its masses of vivid sky blue flowers that bloom over a long season from spring through...

From$27.53
Salvia 'Aztec Blue' plants with elegant blue flowers above green foliage.
Salvia 'Aztec Blue'

Salvia 'Aztec Blue' is an eye catching perennial admired for its bold cobalt blue flower spikes that bloom heavily from late spring through autumn in...

From$27.53
Large Salvia leucantha plant with purple flowers and green foliage.
Salvia leucantha

Salvia leucantha (Mexican Sage Plant) is a spectacular perennial known for its velvety purple and white flower spikes that create a stunning display...

From$30.29
Salvia chamaedryoides plant with blue flowers and grey-green foliage.
Salvia chamaedryoides

Salvia chamaedryoides (Oak Sage) is a beautiful evergreen perennial admired for its silvery grey foliage and brilliant blue flowers that bloom over a...

From$27.53
perovskia-atriplicifolia--1
Perovskia atriplicifolia

Perovskia atriplicifolia, commonly known as Russian Sage, is a striking perennial admired for its airy spikes of lavender blue flowers and aromatic...

From$27.53
salvia-red-2
Salvia 'Red'

Salvia 'Red' (Red Sage) is a vibrant perennial that produces brilliant red flower spikes above aromatic green foliage from late spring until autumn...

From$27.53
Salvia 'Limelight' plants with purple flowers and lime-green leaves in a garden.
Salvia 'Limelight'

Salvia 'Limelight' is a colourful perennial grown for its vibrant flower spikes and aromatic foliage that provide months of colour from late spring...

OUT OF STOCK
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Salvia 'Silver Sabre'

Salvia 'Silver Sabre' is an attractive perennial valued for its striking silvery foliage and long lasting flower display from late spring through...

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Salvia 'Azure Snow'

Salvia 'Azure Snow' is an elegant perennial that produces beautiful white flowers with soft blue tinges above aromatic foliage from late spring...

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salvia-rose-sensation-
Salvia 'Rose Sensation'

Salvia 'Rose Sensation' is a beautiful perennial that produces masses of soft rose pink flowers above aromatic foliage from late spring through...

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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 Purple Glow with purple flowers and lush green foliage.
Salvia 'Purple Glow'

Salvia 'Purple Glow' is a vibrant perennial that produces masses of rich purple flowers over a long season above aromatic foliage. It is perfect for...

OUT OF STOCK
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Salvia 'Amore'

Salvia 'Amore' is a colourful perennial that produces masses of vibrant flowers above aromatic foliage from late spring through autumn. It is an...

OUT OF STOCK
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Salvia 'Victoria'

Salvia 'Victoria' is a striking perennial that produces tall spikes of vibrant flowers above aromatic green foliage from late spring through autumn...

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Salvia 'Waverly' plants growing in a border.
Salvia 'Waverly'

Salvia 'Waverly' is a graceful perennial that produces elegant flower spikes over a long season above aromatic foliage. It adds reliable colour to...

OUT OF STOCK
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Salvia 'Snow Hill'

Salvia 'Snow Hill' is a beautiful perennial valued for its elegant white flower spikes and aromatic foliage that provide months of colour from late...

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Salvia 'Mirage Hot Pink'

Salvia 'Mirage Hot Pink' is a compact perennial that produces masses of vivid hot pink flowers above aromatic foliage from late spring through...

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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-so-cool-violet-
Salvia 'So Cool Violet'

Salvia 'So Cool Violet' is a compact perennial that produces masses of vibrant violet flowers above aromatic foliage from late spring through autumn...

OUT OF STOCK
salvia-embers-wish--6
Salvia 'Ember's Wish'

Salvia 'Ember's Wish' is a stunning perennial that produces masses of warm coral red flowers above aromatic green foliage from late spring through...

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

Salvia nemorosa is a hardy perennial renowned for its upright spikes of richly coloured flowers and aromatic foliage. Flowering over a long period...

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 '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...

OUT OF STOCK
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Salvia officinalis 'Purpurea'

Salvia officinalis 'Purpurea' (Purple Sage) is an attractive evergreen herb prized for its aromatic purple tinged foliage and beautiful mauve blue...

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-la-siesta-
Salvia '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...

OUT OF STOCK
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Salvia 'Chiffon' (Chiffon Sage)

Salvia 'Chiffon' is a beautiful flowering perennial that produces masses of soft coloured blooms over a long season. Its compact growth, attractive...

OUT OF STOCK
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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 '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 'Riverton Red'

Did you find what you are looking for?

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

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

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