Salvia × jamensis Violette de Loire ('Barsal) (PBR)
sage Violet de Loire
This long-flowering, richly-coloured perennial brings depth and warmth to summer borders and containers alike. Upright, bushy growth is clothed in fresh green, aromatic foliage, releasing a pleasant 'blackcurrant-esque' scent when brushed past, making it ideal for planting near paths, seating areas or doorways. From early summer right through to the first frosts, velvet-textured, hooded flowers appear in deep plum and violet tones, held clearly above the foliage and offering excellent visibility and impact.
Salvia × jamensis ‘Violette de Loire’ thrives in a sunny, open position with freely draining soil and will cope well with drier conditions once established. It performs just as well in pots as it does in the ground, bringing reliable colour to patios and terraces, and its long nectar-rich flowering season makes it a magnet for bees and other pollinators.
Semi-evergreen in mild winters and easy to care for, this is a practical, hardworking choice that rewards modest maintenance requirements, once established, with months of colour.
Salvia × jamensis ‘Violette de Loire’ thrives in a sunny, open position with freely draining soil and will cope well with drier conditions once established. It performs just as well in pots as it does in the ground, bringing reliable colour to patios and terraces, and its long nectar-rich flowering season makes it a magnet for bees and other pollinators.
Semi-evergreen in mild winters and easy to care for, this is a practical, hardworking choice that rewards modest maintenance requirements, once established, with months of colour.
How to care for Salvia × jamensis Violette de Loire ('Barsal') (PBR):
When planting, incorporate compost to improve drainage and fertility, spacing plants 30-45cm (12-18in) apart and watering thoroughly.
To keep the plant blooming throughout the season, promptly remove flower spikes as soon as they begin to fade - this deadheading encourages the plant to produce more flowers rather than putting energy into seed production.
In early spring, apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and provide essential nutrients as it breaks down. Ensure the mulch is spread evenly, but keep it away from the stems to prevent rot.
Regular watering, particularly in dry spells, will help maintain healthy growth, but be careful not to waterlog the soil, as this salvia prefers well-drained conditions.
Finally, consider providing some protection in exposed or colder regions of the UK by covering with a double layer of horticultural fleece or dry mulch (bark chippings/ composted pine needles) to insulate the roots, or by using a cloche to protect the plant against hard frosts.
To keep the plant blooming throughout the season, promptly remove flower spikes as soon as they begin to fade - this deadheading encourages the plant to produce more flowers rather than putting energy into seed production.
In early spring, apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and provide essential nutrients as it breaks down. Ensure the mulch is spread evenly, but keep it away from the stems to prevent rot.
Regular watering, particularly in dry spells, will help maintain healthy growth, but be careful not to waterlog the soil, as this salvia prefers well-drained conditions.
Finally, consider providing some protection in exposed or colder regions of the UK by covering with a double layer of horticultural fleece or dry mulch (bark chippings/ composted pine needles) to insulate the roots, or by using a cloche to protect the plant against hard frosts.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.75m
Eventual spread:
0.5m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Borderline hardy (will need protection in winter in colder areas)
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This perennial is semi-evergreen so it can lose some of its leaves in winter. In colder regions or more exposed gardens, it may lose them all, but then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
