Salvia ‘Amethyst Lips’

A firm favourite in our perennial tunnels, and a close cousin to the popular Salvia ‘Hot Lips’. ‘Amethyst Lips’ offers a continuous show of striking bicoloured flowers. Each bloom is a mix of deep amethyst purple and white, though sometimes flowers will appear solid purple or even pure white, often all on the same plant. The small, aromatic, mid-green leaves are semi-evergreen in milder parts of the UK.

This is a fast-growing and bushy plant, reaching about a metre in height and 75cm in spread. It thrives in a sunny, sheltered spot and prefers moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Once established it has good drought tolerance, but dislikes waterlogged ground, especially over winter. It’s rated as H4, so it is hardy through most of the UK but may need some protection in colder areas.

To keep the flowers coming, it’s a good idea to remove the flower spikes as they fade. Give it a light prune in early spring to maintain a good shape and encourage fresh, bushy growth. It’s a superb choice for a gravel garden, a mixed border, or a large container near a seating area where the bees can enjoy it too.