Salvia 'Gigi' - 9cm pot

Hardiness - Group 1/H5 (see below for more information)

Prefers well drained, dry to moist soil in full sun, partial shade

Flowers late winter to mid spring

Pot/plant size: 1 plant in a 6.5cm fibre pot - ready to plant out/pot on

Eventual height/spread: 60cm/50cm

Foliage: green

Hardiness ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets. 

Hardiness is also dependent on soil type and plant maturity. Borderline hardy Salvia (H2/H3) are less likely to survive winter in wet, heavy soils when combined with periods of prolonged freezing below -5c. If purchased late in the year, less hardy Salvia (H2-H4) will need to be protected from freezing until a full year of good growth has been produced.

H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)

H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)

H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)

H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)

H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)

Group 1

Hardy, evergreen shrubs. These Salvia have small leaves 10mm long and grow to 60-90cm. Long flowering period, from early summer to winter. Like dry to moist soil, but are drought tolerant. Should be grown in full sun, but partial shade is tolerated. Good drainage is essential. When growth commences in spring, prune to maintain required shape. Foliage may be shed in winter after exposure to cold wind and/or prolonged periods below -8c. If so, new growth will be produced from the stems in spring.

Group 2

Half Hardy evergreen Salvia. These will tolerate light frost, but not prolonged periods of freezing. They are unlikely to shoot from the base if the top growth dies off after winter.

Group 3

Half Hardy evergreen Salvia. These will remain evergreen if exposed to light frost, but will die back after prolonged periods of freezing. They generally shoot from the base from mid to late spring. Consider applying a mulch in autumn to protect the root system and it is important that this salvia is given sufficient time to establish before winter. If purchased after mid September, keep frost free and delay planting until mid spring.

Group 4

Hardy and Half Hardy Salvia that die back over winter and generally produce new growth from the base from mid to late spring.