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Salvia x sylvestris ‘May Night’ (Wood Sage)

Wood Sage 'Mainacht', Salvia x Superba 'May Night', Salvia nemorosa 'May Night', Salvia sylvestris 'May Night'

AGM Award
Salvia x Sylvestris, Salvia Mainacht, Salvia May Nacht, Wood Sage 'Mainacht', Salvia x Superba 'May Night', Salvia Nemorosa 'May Night', Salvia Sylvestris "May Night', Early blooming salvia, award-winning salvia

Salvia x sylvestris ‘May Night’: May Night Sage

Salvia x sylvestris ‘May Night’, commonly known as May Night Sage or Wood Sage, is a robust, hardy perennial celebrated for its striking violet-blue flowers, long blooming season, and adaptability. This award-winning salvia is highly prized for its dense spikes of richly colored blooms, which add dramatic vertical interest to gardens. Its exceptional performance, resilience to harsh conditions, and pollinator-friendly nature make it an indispensable choice for gardeners.

One of the earliest hardy Salvia to bloom, May Night Sage has been in cultivation for 30 years and has become quite a standard.

Salvia belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which includes aromatic plants like rosemary, basil, and lavender. May Night Salvia combines the genus’ beauty, resilience, and ecological benefits, thriving in various garden settings. What is Salvia? Understanding its role in gardening and beyond


Description

May Night Salvia is a clump-forming perennial with a compact and tidy habit. It produces dense spikes of violet-blue flowers that rise elegantly above the foliage. The flowers are tubular and held in whorls along sturdy, upright stems. Blooming prolifically in late spring to early summer, this wood sage often reblooms through summer if moisture is available. Deadheading also extends its display into late summer or fall.

The foliage consists of lance-shaped, dark green leaves that emit a pleasant, slightly herbal fragrance when brushed or crushed.


Native Habitat

Salvia x sylvestris is a hybrid species, combining qualities from its European parent species Salvia nemorosa (Woodland Sage) and Salvia pratensis (Meadow Sage). These parent species naturally thrive in open meadows, grasslands, and dry slopes across Europe and western Asia. The hybrid ‘May Night’ has inherited their tolerance for full sun, poor soils, and dry conditions, making it an excellent choice for gardens worldwide.


Plant Type and Habit

May Night Salvia is a clump-forming perennial with an upright, bushy habit. Its well-behaved growth makes it ideal for both formal and informal garden settings.


Plant Size

May Night Salvia typically grows 12-36 inches (30-90 cm) tall and spreads 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) wide. Its compact form ensures it fits well in mixed borders, garden edges, and small garden spaces.


Flowers

The standout feature of May Night Savia is its abundant, dense spikes of rich, violet-blue flowers. Each flower is tubular, with a two-lipped structure typical of Salvias, and held in whorls along sturdy, square stems. The dark, nearly black calyces further accentuate the vivid hue of the flowers, creating an eye-catching contrast.

Blooming from late spring to early summer, this wood sage can rebloom throughout the summer with adequate moisture. Regular deadheading further encourages additional flushes of flowers, extending its vibrant display well into late summer or early fall.


Foliage

The foliage consists of lance-shaped, dark green leaves with a slightly wrinkled texture. The leaves are aromatic, emitting a fresh, herbal scent when touched or crushed.


Hardiness

Salvia x sylvestris ‘May Night’ is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8, tolerating cold temperatures down to -30°F (-34°C). Its ability to thrive in both cool and warm climates makes it a versatile choice for temperate gardens. In colder regions, the plant may die back to the ground in winter but reliably returns in spring with vigorous new growth.


Award

Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.


May Night Salvia Uses

Ornamental Uses

Ecological Uses

  • Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, providing a vital nectar source.
  • Supports biodiversity in pollinator-friendly landscapes.
  • Enhances garden ecosystems by encouraging beneficial insects.

Salvia: Discover 10 Key Benefits of Growing Sage in Your Garden


Wildlife

The tubular flowers of May Night Sage attract a variety of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it a valuable addition to pollinator gardens. By providing nectar over an extended season, ‘May Night’ supports healthy pollinator populations.


Deer and Rabbit Resistance

The aromatic foliage of May Night Sage naturally deters deer and rabbits, reducing the risk of damage in wildlife-prone gardens.


Drought Tolerance

Once established, May Night Salvia is drought-tolerant, thriving in dry, well-drained soils. Its deep roots allow it to endure prolonged dry spells, making it an excellent choice for xeriscapes and water-wise gardens.


Toxicity

Salvia x sylvestris ‘May Night’ is considered non-toxic to humans and pets, making it a safe choice for family-friendly gardens.


Invasiveness

This salvia hybrid is non-invasive. While it may self-seed in optimal conditions, it is easily controlled and does not become aggressive in garden settings.

Sage, Blue Sage, Wild Chia, Pineapple Sage, Cardinal Sage, Hummingbird Sage, Mexican Bush Sage, Baby Sage, Woodland Sage, Common Sage, Gentian Sage, Rosemary, Clary, Scarlet Sage, Bog Sage


How to Grow and Care for May Night Salvia

Light

May Night Salvia thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Partial shade is tolerated but may reduce flowering.

Soil

Plant in light, well-drained soil. This salvia tolerates poor, sandy, or rocky soils but performs best in moderately fertile conditions.

Watering

Water deeply during the first growing season to establish strong roots. Once established, May Night Salvia requires minimal supplemental watering, thriving in dry conditions.

Fertilization

Feed with a light application of balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring. Avoid excessive fertilization, as this can promote foliage growth at the expense of flowers.

Pruning

Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage reblooming and maintain a tidy appearance. Cut back after flowering to 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) above the ground.


Propagation

Cuttings

  • Take 4–6-inch cuttings from healthy, non-flowering stems in late spring or summer.
  • Root in moist, well-draining soil.

Division

  • Divide mature clumps in early spring or fall, ensuring each division has healthy roots and stems.

Common Problems

Salvia: Plant Care and Growing Guide


Here are some tips on how to plant and grow salvia successfully

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 4 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Salvia
Common names Sage
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 12" - 18" (30cm - 50cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Coastal Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Salvia microphylla (Baby Sage)
Salvia pratensis (Meadow Sage)
Salvia nemorosa ‘Perfect Profusion’ (Sage)
Salvia rosmarinus ‘Albus’ (Rosemary)
Salvia rosmarinus ‘Spice Island’ (Rosemary)
Salvia rosmarinus ‘Severn Sea’ (Rosemary)

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Kniphofia (Red Hot Poker)
Rosa (Rose)

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 4 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Lamiaceae
Genus Salvia
Common names Sage
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 12" - 18" (30cm - 50cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Coastal Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Salvia (Sage)
Guides with
Salvia (Sage)
Not sure which Salvia (Sage) to pick?
Compare Now

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