SALVIA Midnight Purple

Description and Characteristics

Salvia 'Midnight Purple' is a bold, floriferous perennial sage distinguished by its rich, deep purple flowers set against dark green, aromatic foliage. It belongs to the Salvia x hybrida group and is part of the newer generation of salvias bred for compact size, exceptional flowering performance, and extended blooming periods. This cultivar offers vivid, dramatic colour for borders, containers, and wildlife-friendly gardens.

Reaching around 50–60 cm in height and spreading 40–50 cm, ‘Midnight Purple’ is ideal for smaller gardens or front-of-border positions where space and impact are key. Its upright flower spikes appear from late spring through to the first frost, offering a long-lasting display and a valuable nectar source for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

• Rich, saturated purple blooms with upright flower spikes

• Compact, bushy growth ideal for borders and pots

• Aromatic foliage with good drought tolerance

• Blooms from late spring to autumn with deadheading

• Attracts pollinators; deer and rabbit resistant

• Hardy to around -5°C (USDA Zones 7–10); may need winter protection in cold regions

Growing Conditions and Maintenance

Salvia 'Midnight Purple' is easy to grow and requires minimal upkeep, thriving in warm, sunny locations with well-drained soil. Its compact nature means it rarely flops or needs staking, making it especially useful in structured or small-scale planting.

• Light Requirements:

  • Requires full sun (6+ hours daily) for compact form and best flowering

  • Tolerates very light shade but will bloom less heavily

• Soil Preferences:

  • Grows best in well-drained, moderately fertile soil

  • Tolerates sandy, gritty, or chalky soils

  • Avoid heavy clay or waterlogged conditions, especially in winter

• Watering Routine:

  • Water regularly during the first growing season to establish roots

  • Once established, moderately drought-tolerant

  • Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry slightly between applications

• Feeding and Fertiliser:

  • Feed with a balanced fertiliser in spring

  • Optional liquid feeding every 4–6 weeks during peak flowering will enhance blooming

  • Avoid excessive nitrogen, which promotes foliage over flowers

• Pruning and Deadheading:

  • Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering and encourage repeat flushes

  • After the first main bloom (usually mid-summer), cut back by one-third to rejuvenate and tidy the plant

  • In early spring, prune back hard to just above new growth to remove winter damage

• Mulching and Overwintering:

  • In milder areas, mulch lightly in autumn to protect roots

  • In colder zones, grow in containers that can be moved or cover with fleece or cloche

  • Good drainage is essential for overwintering success

Design Use, Companion Plants, and Pest Resistance

With its bold colour and neat habit, Salvia 'Midnight Purple' is extremely versatile in both formal and informal settings. It works well in themed borders, mixed perennial plantings, and wildlife gardens.

• Design Applications:

  • Ideal for cottage gardens, modern mixed borders, wildlife gardens, and container displays

  • Effective in mass planting or repeated in drifts for impact

  • Provides vertical structure and contrast to softer or paler planting palettes

• Companion Plants:

  • Pairs beautifully with gaura, echinacea, coreopsis, lavender, and ornamental grasses

  • Contrast it with silver-leaved plants like artemisia or stachys for drama

  • Looks stunning combined with pinks, whites, and other cool-toned perennials

• Container Growing:

  • Grows well in medium to large pots with gritty, free-draining compost

  • Ensure containers have good drainage holes

  • Suitable for patios, terraces, or entranceways

• Wildlife and Ecological Benefits:

  • Provides a long-lasting nectar source for bees, butterflies, and hoverflies

  • Deer- and rabbit-resistant due to aromatic foliage

  • Suitable for pollinator-friendly or sustainable garden designs

• Pests and Diseases:

  • Generally pest-free and disease-resistant

  • May develop mildew in crowded or overly humid conditions—ensure good airflow and spacing

  • Avoid overhead watering to reduce risk of foliar disease

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.