Wood Sage 'Mainacht', Salvia x Superba 'May Night', Salvia nemorosa 'May Night', Salvia sylvestris 'May Night'
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
Salvia: Discover 10 Key Benefits of Growing Sage in Your Garden
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.
The aromatic foliage of May Night Sage naturally deters deer and rabbits, reducing the risk of damage in wildlife-prone gardens.
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.
Salvia x sylvestris ‘May Night’ is considered non-toxic to humans and pets, making it a safe choice for family-friendly gardens.
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.
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.
Plant in light, well-drained soil. This salvia tolerates poor, sandy, or rocky soils but performs best in moderately fertile conditions.
Water deeply during the first growing season to establish strong roots. Once established, May Night Salvia requires minimal supplemental watering, thriving in dry conditions.
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.
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.
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 |
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 Salvia x sylvestris ‘May Night’ (Wood Sage) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Salvia x sylvestris ‘May Night’ (Wood Sage) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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