Salvia nemorosa Ostfriesland - Woodland Sage

Salvia nemorosa 'Ostfriesland', also known as Wood Sage or Forest Sage, is a tall and well-branched perennial that offers an abundance of intense and bright blue-violet spike-like inflorescences throughout summer. Compact and bushy, this sage is distinguished by its lanceolate, slightly grey, semi-evergreen foliage. Easy to grow, it is one of the hardiest salvias.

Salvia nemorosa belongs to the Lamiaceae family. This herbaceous perennial is native to central Europe and western Asia. 'Ostfriesland' is one of its many cultivars, reaching a maximum size of 50cm (20in) in all directions. This perennial has a bushy, highly branched, and compact habit. Flowering occurs from June to August, with terminal clusters composed of numerous small flowers (0.5 to 1cm (1in)) in dark blue with reddish-brown bracts. This mixture of colours produces a strong and bright blue-violet effect. The beautiful nectar-rich flower spikes follow one another throughout summer, delighting butterflies. The leaves, 5 to 10cm (2 to 4in) long, are oval or lanceolate, oblong, notched, wavy, and greyish-green. The base of the stems is often reddish.

Plant 'Ostfriesland' in ordinary, even poor, preferably calcareous, well-draining soil. This plant tolerates some drought. It does not appreciate heavy and waterlogged soils in winter, which can harm its hardiness. Plant it in a sunny or semi-shaded location. It is an easy and highly floriferous plant. Fertilise it in spring. In April, prune all branches in half. Once the flowering has passed, remove the faded flower stalks to stimulate and prolong flowering. To preserve its vitality, divide the plant after 3 years. Plant the new plants in well-prepared soil. Mix in some horticultural compost to improve slightly poor soil.

Salvia nemorosa 'Ostfriesland' remains compact, even in soil that is slightly too rich for it. It knows how to stand tall! It will look stunning paired with pale-yellow flowering plants like Anthemis 'Wargrave' for a strong contrast, or with grey artemisia foliage and pink flowering plants.

With over 900 species of annuals, perennials, and woody shrubs, distributed worldwide except in very cold regions and tropical forests, the genus Salvia is the richest in the mint family (Lamiaceae). The name Salvia, dating back to Roman times, derives from the Latin salvus, meaning "healthy," alluding to the medicinal properties of common sage.