Meadow Clary

Salvia pratensis Lapis Lazuli

One of the earliest of the salvias to flower. Each slender upright stem carries a series of comparatively large hooded flowers in candyfloss pink, which open in succession up its length. Large rosette of grey green leaves form a dense groundcover canopy. A fine Salvia exhibiting strong and vigorous growth and producing a second flush of flowers later in July and August. Attractive to bees and butterflies.

• Position: full sun
• Soil: moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: May to July
• Flower colour: pale pink
• Other features: useful early flowering form
• Hardiness: fully hardy

• Garden care: To prolong flowering, cut out spent flower spikes as soon as they start to fade, leaving foliage to mature into rich autumn tones. Alternatively, cut back the whole plant after early flowering in late May/June to enjoy a second flush of blooms in July and August. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant in spring.

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