Salvia superba Rose Queen

The Salvia (x) superba 'Queen Rose', the pink alter-ego of the 'Queen Blue' wood sage, delivers large pastel spikes all summer long; this perennial and vigorous sage is as much seducive with its colourful pink flowers as with the incessant ballet of butterflies that come to feed on it. Fabulous in wildflower bouquets, wonderful in the company of the queen of flowers, this understated sovereign forms abundant upright spikes, covered with pale pink flowers with dark pink bracts. In order to support its flowering, this plant requires plenty of sun and a light, well-drained soil.

The Savia x superba is a horticultural hybrid obtained by cross-breeding Salvia x sylvestris, a hybrid between Salvia Nemorosa, Salvia Pratensis, and Salvia villicaulis, a rare European species. These plants belong to the lamiaceae family and all have a tolerance to cold, sun, and drying soils in common. The 'Queen Rose' variety stands out for its robustness and magnificent pink flowering. It has a branching and erect habit and semi-evergreen foliage. The plant forms clumps that can cover 1m (3ft) in diameter. It produces multi-flowered and compact inflorescences in spring, reaching a height of 45 or 55 cm, with flowers measuring 0.5 to 1 cm (0in) long, in a tender pink colour, surrounded by dark pink bracts. The flowers bloom from May-June and continue without interruption until the height of summer, when the faded flowers need to be removed. The deciduous leaves, 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4in) long, are ovate to oblong, rough, with serrated edges, forming beautiful vegetation.

The 'Queen Rose' wood sage is vigorous enough to outcompete weeds. It excels on slopes, contributing to their stability with its deep anchoring roots, which allow it to draw in freshness even during heatwaves. In this regard, it is perfect for maintaining the soil on rockeries or banks near water sources. It is a very resistant plant, tolerating periods of drought once well established, even if the beauty of its foliage suffers, and spartan growing conditions. It tolerates limestone well, grows on chalky hillsides, and endures harsh winters without weakening. In flower beds, combine it with clary sage, common sage, alongside old roses and Nepeta x faassenii, lychnis coronaria.

With over 900 species of annuals, perennials, and softwood shrubs distributed all over the globe, except for very cold regions and tropical forests, the genus Salvia is the richest in the lamiaceae family.