Salvia nemorosa ‘Ostfriesland’ (Sage)
Sage 'East Friesland', Meadow Sage 'East Friesland', Balkan Clary 'East Friesland', Salvia nemorosa 'East Friesland'Salvia nemorosa ‘East Friesland’, commonly called Meadow Sage ‘East Friesland’, is a vibrant and compact perennial that enhances any garden with its vivid color and functionality. Its tall, violet-purple flower spikes rise above aromatic, gray-green foliage, adding texture and contrast to your landscape. Blooming profusely from early summer to fall, this plant draws in pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, ensuring a lively and thriving garden. Its clumping growth habit, reaching 16–18 inches in height and 18–24 inches in width, makes it an excellent choice for borders, containers, and cottage gardens.
This hardy perennial thrives in USDA zones 4–8. While it performs best in full sun, it also tolerates light shade, giving gardeners flexibility in planting. It grows well in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils and adapts easily to sandy or gravelly conditions. Once established, the plant demonstrates excellent drought tolerance, reducing watering needs. Additionally, its resistance to deer browsing makes it dependable for low-maintenance landscapes. Regular deadheading not only encourages reblooming but also keeps the plant tidy, while cutting back after flowering helps it maintain a neat appearance.
Care Instructions
- Light Needs: Provide full sun for the best flowering performance; light shade works as well.
- Soil Preferences: Plant in well-drained soil; sandy or gravelly soil conditions are ideal.
- Watering Requirements: Water thoroughly during the first season to establish strong roots, then reduce frequency.
- Fertilization: Use a balanced fertilizer in early spring to support growth and blooms.
- Pruning Tips: Remove faded blooms to encourage reblooming. After flowering, cut back stems to basal growth for a fresh, neat appearance.
- Spacing: Space plants 16–18 inches apart to ensure healthy air circulation and proper growth.
Salvia nemorosa ‘East Friesland’ combines practicality with vibrant beauty. Its adaptability, ability to attract pollinators, and low-maintenance nature make it an excellent addition to any garden. With its long blooming period and reliable hardiness, it never fails to impress.
