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types of salvias

Discovering the wide variety of salvias is a garden adventure in itself. With their vivid blooms, aromatic foliage, and impressive resilience, salvias have become favourites among New Zealand gardeners. As you explore the different types of salvias, you’ll find that some are ideal for attracting pollinators, others perfect for bold displays of colour, and many are remarkably easy to care for. Let’s dive into the world of salvias, from the classic to the contemporary, and help you select the right varieties for your garden sanctuary.

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 originates from Central America but grows beautifully in New Zealand gardens. Flowering from late summer into autumn, it provides a long lasting burst of colour that attracts bees and butterflies. Salvia corrugata is a great choice for adding vibrant structure and year round interest to NZ landscapes and garden borders.

From $26.93

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 1.20 m
Spread: 1.20 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Garden uses: Living areas, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical
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 spikes that host masses of showy, purple-blue flowers. The flowers sit neatly above the mid-green foliage as it grows to 1 m tall and the same wide. Salvia Amistad is ideal for herb gardens, mixed plantings, cottage gardens, borders, or container growing. A mass planting really suits this plant and gives a very rewarding display.

From $26.93

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Summer, Autumn
Garden uses: Borders, Culinary, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
salvia-la-siesta-

Salvia jamensis La Siesta (Salvia La Siesta)

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

From$22.88
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$26.93
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...

From$26.93
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$26.93
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...

From$26.93
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$26.93
Salvia 'Santa Barbara' shrub in a garden with dark pink flowers.

Salvia Santa Barbara (Mexican Sage)

Salvia Santa Barbara, commonly known as Mexican Sage or Mexican Bush Sage, is grown for its rich display of flowers from summer through autumn. It...

From$26.93
salvia-wendys-wish-

Salvia Wendy's Wish

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

From$25.58
Large Salvia leucantha plant with purple flowers and green foliage.

Salvia leucantha (Mexican Sage)

Salvia leucantha, commonly known as the Mexican Sage Plant, is grown for its rich display of flowers from summer through autumn. It produces long and...

From$26.93
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Prunus laurocerasus

Prunus laurocerasus, commonly known as cherry laurel, is a versatile evergreen tree renowned for its dense, glossy dark green leaves and fragrant...

From$24.23
Plagianthus regius as a small tree in a garden.

Plagianthus regius (Ribbonwood)

Plagianthus regius, commonly known as Ribbonwood or Manatu, is one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing native trees. It can reach 10–15 metres tall and...

From$24.23
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Vegetable Fertiliser (Vegetable Fertiliser)

Vegetable plants respond exceptionally well to The Plant Company’s vegetable fertiliser with better quality produce, higher yields, and a much...

From$12.50
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Tree Fertiliser (Tree Fertiliser)

Using tree fertiliser results in plants having better quality foliage, more profuse flowering, stronger stems, and a much healthier and brighter...

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Ignite Herbicide

Ignite is a selective herbicide used to control foreign grasses in a Fine Fescue lawn. It is not to be used on Tall Fescue or any other lawn types...

From$276.78
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Enhanced Compost

The Plant Company Enhanced Compost has been supplemented with the right balance of both quick release and controlled release fertilisers. It can be...

From$46.91
Clonex Rooting Hormone one litre bottle.

Rooting Hormone (Rooting Hormone)

Clonex is the preferred rooting hormone for nurseries across NZ and the world. It is the industry standard for rooting softwood, semi-hardwood, and...

From$148.75
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Bahco Grafting Knife

This grafting knife from Bacho is the industry standard for all types of grafting including cleft, side approach, and air layering. The design...

From$89.98
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Rose Fertiliser

Roses respond exceptionally well to rose fertiliser with better quality flowers and foliage, stronger stems, and a much healthier and brighter...

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Salvia corrugata

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Plagianthus Prunus and Salvia, or related Categories - General Garden Fertiliser, Rose Fertiliser, Vegetable Fertiliser, Compost, Grafting and Budding, Rooting Hormone, Herbicides, Perennials Deciduous Trees and Flowering Cherry Tree.

Search types of salvias

What Are Salvias?

Salvias, sometimes known as sages, belong to the mint family and offer extraordinary versatility. With more than 900 recognized species worldwide, their range includes perennials, annuals, and shrubs. Salvias thrive in a range of New Zealand conditions, often producing striking spikes of colour for months on end. These plants are ideal for sunny borders, cottage gardens, pollinator patches, or even containers on the patio.

Popular Types of Salvias for New Zealand Gardens

Salvia Amistad

One of the most sought-after modern salvias, Salvia Amistad brings deep purple flower spikes held high above lush green foliage. Flowering from spring until the first frosts, it is known for its long blooming season and appeal to bees and butterflies.

Salvia Caradonna

If you’re after architectural beauty, Salvia Caradonna is renowned for its upright, violet-blue flower spikes and striking dark stems. This perennial creates elegant vertical accents in the garden, blending beautifully with ornamental grasses or other perennials.

Salvia Purple Glow

For a punch of bold violet tones, Salvia Purple Glow (Purple Salvia) stands out with its vibrant, clustered flowers. It’s not just stunning in a mixed border but is also robust and low-maintenance, perfect for busy Kiwi gardeners looking for colour without the fuss.

Salvia Marcus

Compact and ideal for smaller spaces, Salvia Marcus offers dense spikes of deep blue flowers. Its neat growth habit suits borders, pathways, or even patio containers, and its blooms are highly attractive to bees.

Salvia nemorosa

A classic cottage garden type, Salvia nemorosa is cherished for its prolific flowering and drought tolerance. It comes in various shades from blue to purple, making it a flexible choice whether you’re after mass plantings or specimen highlights.

How to Choose the Right Salvia

When selecting the best types of salvias, consider your garden’s sunlight, soil, and style. Salvias generally favour well-draining soil and full sun but tolerate a range of positions. Think about height, colour, and blooming season to design continuous displays through the seasons, and don’t hesitate to mix varieties for year-round interest.

Grow and Enjoy the Diversity of Salvias

Whether your garden calls for bold statement blooms, exquisite pollinator plants, or no-fuss performers, the right types of salvias are waiting for you. Try blending different forms, from the upright elegance of Salvia Caradonna to the vibrant blooms of Salvia Purple Glow (Purple Salvia), and enjoy a living tapestry of colour right outside your door.

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.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Let Heuchera Peppermint Spice (Coral Bells) and Ficus Tuffi draw you in — then let Nerium Madonna (Oleander Nerium), Pittosporum ralphii (Ralphs Karo), and Lagerstroemia 'Crimson Red' keep you inspired.
–The Plant Company

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