May Night Salvia
- Deep Violet Blooms
- Pollinator Friendly Color
- Compact Perennial Form
May Night Salvia
Sunlight
Can grow in a range from full sun to partial shade. They need at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight per day.
Watering
Regular watering schedule for the first six months. Once established, rainwater should be sufficient.
Fertilizing
Should not need any extra fertilizer unless your entire lawn and garden have problems and needs regular fertilizing.
May Night Salvia
May Night Salvia is a long-blooming perennial known for deep violet-blue flower spikes, aromatic green foliage, and a tidy upright habit. This classic garden salvia brings bold early-season color, pollinator appeal, and easy structure to sunny borders, cottage gardens, walkways, and mixed perennial plantings.
Why choose May Night Salvia?
Choose May Night Salvia for its intense flower color, compact form, and reliable sunny-border performance. Also known by the cultivar name ‘Mainacht,’ this perennial produces dense spikes of violet-blue blooms above textured foliage, creating a strong vertical accent without taking up too much space. It pairs beautifully with catmint, coreopsis, coneflowers, yarrow, roses, and ornamental grasses. After the first bloom, a light cutback can encourage fresh growth and additional flowering for an extended seasonal display.
Key Characteristics
- Botanical Name: Salvia x sylvestris ‘Mainacht’
- Common Name: May Night Salvia, Wood Sage, Meadow Sage
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Growth Habit: Upright, clump-forming perennial
May Night Salvia Additional Information
May Night Salvia is prized for dense violet-blue flower spikes that typically appear in late spring to early summer, often earlier than many midsummer perennials. The blooms rise above aromatic, slightly textured green foliage and are attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Its strong color makes it especially effective when planted in groups or repeated through a sunny border.
This deciduous perennial dies back after frost and returns from the crown in spring. Removing spent flower stems helps keep the plant tidy and may encourage additional bloom later in the season. May Night Salvia works well in cottage gardens, pollinator beds, rock gardens, sunny foundation plantings, and containers with good drainage. Its compact, upright habit makes it easy to use near walkways or at the front to middle of mixed perennial borders.
Planting & Care
1. Planting: Plant May Night Salvia in full sun with average, well-drained soil. Set the crown level with the surrounding soil and space plants so each clump has room for airflow and mature growth.
2. Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to help roots establish. Once established, provide supplemental water during extended dry periods, especially in hot, sunny beds or container plantings.
3. Mulching: Apply a light layer of mulch around the plant to conserve moisture and reduce weeds. Keep mulch slightly away from the crown so new shoots emerge cleanly in spring.
4. Pruning: Remove spent flower spikes after bloom to keep the plant tidy and encourage possible rebloom. Cut old stems back in late winter or early spring before new growth appears.
Related Resources
FAQs
How large does May Night Salvia get?
May Night Salvia typically grows about 18–24 inches tall and wide, forming a compact clump that fits well in borders, edging, containers, and pollinator gardens.
When does May Night Salvia bloom?
May Night Salvia blooms from late spring into summer with deep violet-blue flower spikes. Deadheading spent blooms can help maintain a fresh look and may encourage additional flowering.
Does May Night Salvia attract pollinators?
Yes. Its upright flower spikes attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, making it a strong choice for sunny pollinator-friendly plantings.
Is May Night Salvia good for pollinator gardens?
Yes. The nectar-rich flower spikes are attractive to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, making it a useful choice for sunny pollinator-friendly plantings.
Shipping Details
Estimated Shipping Time: Most orders ship immediately. As noted on the website, some items are seasonal, and may only ship in spring or fall. Once your order is shipped, you’ll receive an email with a tracking number.
| Amount of Order | Shipping Charge |
|---|---|
| Local Delivery | FREE SHIPPING |
| Non-Local Delivery | Varies based on UPS shipping |
Full Sun
Flowering
Easy Plant
| Mature Height | 1' - 3' |
| Mature Spread | 0-5 ft |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Botanical Name | Salvia nemorosa 'May Night' |
| Bloom Time | Early Summer |
| Deer Resistant | Usually |
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Flower Color | Blue/Purple |
| Hardiness Zones | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Light Needs | Full Sun |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Size | #1 Container, #2 Container |
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| Rating | ||||||
| Mature Height | 10' + | 1' - 3' | 3-10' | 1' - 3' | 3-10' | 10' + |
| Mature Spread | 0-5 ft | 0-5 ft | 0-5 ft | 0-5 ft | 0-5 ft | 0-5 ft |
| Growth Rate | Fast, Moderate | Fast | Fast, Moderate | Moderate, Slow | Fast, Moderate | Fast, Moderate |
| Bloom Time | Late Spring, Early Spring | Early Summer | Mid Summer | Mid Summer | Mid Summer | Late Summer, Mid Summer |
| Deer Resistant | Usually | Usually | Usually | Usually | Usually | Usually |
| Family | Poaceae | Asphodelaceae | Pennisetum | Asparagaceae | Asteraceae | Poaceae |
| Flower Color | Pink, White | Yellow/Orange | Pink, White | Blue/Purple, White | White | Pink |
| Hardiness Zones | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Light Needs | Full Sun | Full Sun | Full Sun | Full Sun, Partial Sun | Full Sun | Full Sun |
| Maintenance | Low | Low | Low | Low | Medium | Low |
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