With their spiky floral spikes in shades of purple blue, pink red, and white, salvias bring unique beauty to gardens. These hardy perennials also attract pollinators and bloom profusely from summer to fall. But salvias look even better when paired with complementary companion plants.
The vertical form and bountiful blossoms of salvias allow them to stand out while playing nicely with other plants. Taking into account factors like sunlight needs, height, bloom time, and color, you can choose companion plants that enhance the display. Here are some of the best companion plant pairings for salvias to create stunning plant combinations.
Complementary Perennials
Many perennial flowers make excellent partners for salvias in beds, borders or containers Here are some top perennial pairings
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Catmint (Nepeta) – With a similar bloom period and growth habit, catmint complements salvias nicely. Plant the airy catmint flowers around bushy salvias for pretty contrast.
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Blanket Flower (Gaillardia) – The bold daisy-like blooms of blanket flowers pair beautifully with wispy salvias, creating colorful harmony.
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Coneflowers (Echinacea) – Coneflowers add bold pops of color. The bright flowers with dark centers surrounding fluffy blooms of salvia creates vibrant garden interest.
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Yarrow (Achillea) – Feathery yarrow flowers in soft hues contrast nicely with vibrant salvias for varied texture and color.
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Ornamental Grasses – Try mixing salvias with blue fescue, pennisetum or stipa for height and movement. The fine grasses sway gracefully around the sturdy salvia blooms.
Cheerful Annual Additions
Some fantastic annuals to interplant with salvias for non-stop color include:
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Zinnias – Shorter zinnias like ‘Zowie’ in front of taller upright salvias makes a pretty pairing with plenty of pollinator appeal.
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Marigolds – The bold, golden blooms of marigolds paired with airy purple or red salvias creates a delightful color contrast.
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Petunias – Let the trailing petunias spill over the edges of containers planted with sculptural salvias for vertical interest.
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Purslane – This low, mounding annual features colorful satiny flowers similar to salvias. Underplant them around the base of salvias.
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Verbena – Mix the dainty clusters of verbena in with salvias for a cohesive blend of flower colors.
Shrubs & Trees to Accent Salvias
Some woody plants that combine nicely with herbaceous salvias include:
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Weigela – The colorful spring blooms of weigela shrubs transition nicely to the summer flowers of salvias planted in front.
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Spirea – Try ‘Magic Carpet’ spirea for golden spring foliage that gives way to purple salvias.
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Boxwood – The neat evergreen leaves of boxwood shrubs allow the colorful salvias planted in front to take center stage.
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Russian Sage – With similar bloom periods, light blue Russian sage flowers nicely complement purple or pink salvias.
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Rosemary – Upright rosemary makes a nice edging for salvias. It provides a light grayish backdrop to highlight the salvias.
More Tips for Growing Salvias
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Give salvias full sun and well-drained soil for best results. Amend soil with compost to improve drainage.
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Cut back the flower spikes after first bloom to encourage continuous reblooming until fall.
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Water salvia plantings regularly during the first year to establish an extensive root system. Mature plants are quite drought tolerant.
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Cut back foliage to 3-6 inches in late fall for winter protection. Mulch for added insulation.
With so many pairing possibilities, salvias offer great versatility in garden design. Combining them with plants that have complementary textures, colors and growth habits results in beautiful plant combinations that pollinators will flock to. Get creative mixing salvias with your other garden favorites!
Companion Planting for Salvias – FAQ
Here are some common questions about pairing plants with salvias:
What flowers look good with salvias?
Some of the best flowers to pair with salvias include catmint, blanket flower, coneflower, zinnia, yarrow, verbena, marigolds, and ornamental grasses.
What perennials grow well with salvias?
Excellent perennial pairings for salvias include catmint, blanket flower, coneflower, yarrow, daylilies, and ornamental grasses like fescue or pennisetum.
What annuals complement salvias?
Top annuals to combine with salvias are zinnias, marigolds, purslane, verbena, and petunias. They add long-lasting color.
What shrubs pair well with salvias?
Nice shrubs to accent salvias include weigela, spirea, boxwood, Russian sage, and rosemary. Plant the lower salvias in front.
Should you give salvias full sun?
Yes, salvias thrive best in full sun. Ensure they receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for abundant flowering.
Do you need well-drained soil for salvias?
Proper drainage is key for salvias. Amend soil with compost or gravel to improve drainage and prevent rot in winter.
When should you cut back salvias?
After the first flush of summer blooms, cut flower spikes back to prolong blooming into fall. Cut foliage back in late fall for winter protection.
Perennials To Plant With Salvia
Salvia is a perennial plant that doesn’t need much care. Putting it in with other perennials makes for a full-looking landscape that comes back every year without much work. Easy-care plants like coneflowers are a good match. The large blooms of coneflowers contrast nicely against the small salvia flowers while supporting butterflies and other pollinators. Catmint is another perennial plant that looks like salvia and needs similar care, which makes it a great choice for a mixed planting.
Annuals To Plant With Salvia
Feature annuals with a perennial like salvia for a new and unique look each year. The bright and bold lantana flowers can be used to contrast the cool tones of salvia blooms. Some salvias come in bright colors and look great in a tropical garden with canna lilies, purple fountain grass, and lantana. Another annual with pretty flowers that doesn’t stand out too much is purslane. Plant it in front of the salvia. These annual plants need full sun, making them a good match in terms of care.
Planting the Most Beautiful Clematis & Salvia! // Garden Answer
FAQ
Where is the best place to plant Salvias?
How close together do you plant Salvias?
Do Salvias like sun or shade?
Are salvia plants easy to grow?
Salvias (also called sages) are a diverse group of plants that offer colorful flowers, scents, and even flavors. Some also have pretty foliage. Most salvia plants are easy to grow, drought-tolerant, bloom abundantly, and look gorgeous in the landscape. Use this guide to find the best salvia plants for growing in your garden.
Is Salvia a good spring plant?
The perfect fit for well-draining soil in full sun, salvia’s early spring color make this plant a favorite of garden designer Laura. She says ‘Salvia is a wonderful plant because it’s hardy, reliable, and an early spring bloomer. It’s great to have some color when most of the perennials haven’t bloomed yet.
Where to grow Salvia?
Where you grow your salvia will depend on the variety. Most like well-draining soils, so do keep that in mind. Average garden soil is fine for most varieties but heavy clay absolutely won’t do. If you have heavy clay, grow your salivas in a container with good drainage. Photo by Gretchen Heber.
Is Salvia a perennial?
These include Salvia officinalis— garden sage—the culinary herb used to flavor and garnish food. This plant is a perennial that will come back each year where it’s hardy. There are also annual and biennial types of salvias, and some are woody shrubs. A favorite plant for many gardeners, blue salvia is an easy perennial to grow.
