Like most South Carolina nature lovers, I look forward to the return of Ruby-throated hummingbirds every spring. I enjoy seeing them in my garden, visiting flower after flower chirping along the way. Salvias are one genus of flowers I have noticed they love to visit.
Salvias have colorful tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds. The hummingbird’s long beak and tongue allow it to easily reach the nectar in the back of a salvia flower. For many salvias, the hummingbird is an important pollinator.
This is a small list of salvias I have grown and found in my local garden centers and nurseries in the Upstate. My garden has a lot of trees, so I grow those that are part shade tolerant.
Perennial Salvia
Anise Sage (Salvia guaranitica) is the longest-blooming perennial in my garden. It starts blooming in late spring and continues until the first frost. It is native to South America and thrives in our climate.
Anise Sage has cobalt blue flowers on tall spikes. It grows to 5 feet tall and wide in sun to part shade and is hardy in zones 8 to 10.
A number of beautiful cultivars have been developed from Anise Sage and are only available as plants. They will grow in sun to part shade. Here are a few of my favorites:
- ‘Amistad’ PP 23,578 has deep purple blooms and black calyxes. It grows 3.5 feet tall and wide and is hardy in USDA planting zones 8 to 10.
- ‘Black and Blue’ has royal blue flowers with black calyxes. It grows 3 feet tall and wide and is hardy in USDA planting zones 7 to 10.
- Bodacious ® ‘Jammin Jazz’ PPAF has dark pink flowers with black calyxes on black stems. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide and is hardy in USDA planting zones 8 to 11.
Deep purple flowers attract hummingbirds to (Salvia guaranitica ‘Amistad’).
Barbara H. Smith, © 2023 HGIC, Clemson University
A honeybee visits the cobalt blue flowers of Anise Sage (Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’).
Barbara H. Smith, © 2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Tender Salvia
These are sterile hybrids that were bred for non-stop summer blooms. They grow best in sun to part shade. Plants are grown from cuttings and are not available as seeds. They are not winter hardy outdoors in much of the state as they are only hardy in USDA planting zones 9 to 11. However, I have been successful in wintering them over in pots in my unheated garage. These hybrids grow best in sun to part shade. Listed below are some of my favorites:
- Love and Wishes™ (Salvia x. ‘Ser-Wish’) PP27057 has purple flowers. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide.
- Rockin® Fuchsia (Salvia x. ‘BBSAL00301’) USPP 30,923 has vibrant fuchsia flowers with black calyxes. It grows 2 to 3 feet tall and wide.
- ‘Wendy’s Wish’ (Salvia x. ‘Wendy’s Wish’) PP 21,889 has magenta-pink flowers. It grows to 4 feet tall and wide.
Love and Wishes™ (Salvia x. ‘Ser-Wish’) attracts Carpenter Bees as well as Hummingbirds.
Barbara H. Smith, © 2023 HGIC, Clemson University
‘Wendy’s Wish’ (Salvia x ‘Wendy’s Wish) has bright magenta-pink flowers on tall spikes.
Barbara H. Smith, © 2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Annual Salvia
Scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea) is native to the southeastern US and Mexico and prefers sun to part shade. It will bloom all summer, especially if you deadhead often. It can be perennial in the warmest areas of SC. It also reseeds in the garden.
- Hummingbird™ series are available in red (Lady in Red), white (Snow Nymph), and coral (Coral Nymph). This series will grow up to 24 inches tall and wide.
- Summer Jewel™ series are available in red, pink, white, and lavender flowers. This series will grow up to 20 inches in height.
Native Scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea) has bright red flowers all summer.
Barbara H. Smith, © 2023 HGIC, Clemson University
‘Snow Nymph’ (Salvia coccinea ‘Snow Nymph’) has bright white flowers on heat-tolerant plants.
Barbara H. Smith, © 2023 HGIC, Clemson University
‘Coral Nymph’ (Salvia coccinea ‘Coral Nymph’) has coral and white flowers spring through fall.
Barbara H. Smith, © 2023 HGIC, Clemson University
Most Salvias prefer well-drained soil and thrive in full sun as well as part shade. They perform well in containers and add height to the planting. I like to pair scarlet sage with cuphea and petunias in a container to attract hummingbirds and provide lots of nectar in one pot.
In the fall, after the first freeze, the stalks of the plants turn brown. Try waiting until late spring to remove the brown stalks. By doing so, the old stems protect the plant from freezes and provide a habitat for overwintering insects.
Deer tend to leave salvia alone, but if they are hungry enough, they may munch on it.
There are nearly one thousand species of salvia you can grow in sun to part shade, even in boggy soils. Add a few to your garden to attract more hummingbirds.
For more information on salvias, see HGIC 1174, Salvia.
For more information on Hummingbirds, see the University of Florida, Hummingbirds of Florida.
