Salvia x. sylv. 'Mainacht'

Overview of Salvia x sylvestris 'Mainacht'

Salvia x sylvestris 'Mainacht' is a hardy herbaceous perennial admired for its deep violet-purple flower spikes and compact, clump-forming habit. The name ‘Mainacht’ translates to “May Night,” referencing its early bloom time in late spring. This cultivar is a cross between Salvia nemorosa and Salvia pratensis, both native to Europe and parts of Asia.

Reaching approximately 45–60 cm in height and 30–45 cm in spread, ‘Mainacht’ is well-suited to the front of sunny borders, cottage gardens, wildlife gardens, and formal schemes. It is particularly attractive to pollinators, especially bees and butterflies, and offers an excellent, low-maintenance burst of colour from late spring through summer.

Sunlight, Temperature & Positioning

• Sunlight Requirements:

  • Requires full sun for best flowering and compact growth.

  • Will tolerate light shade, though flowering may be reduced.

• Temperature & Hardiness:

  • Fully hardy in USDA Zones 4–9 and RHS Hardiness rating H7.

  • Tolerates cold winters and can withstand frosts without additional protection.

• Ideal Placement:

  • Front to mid-border in herbaceous or mixed plantings.

  • Suitable for Mediterranean-style gardens, gravel gardens, and wildlife borders.

Soil, Watering & Feeding

• Soil Preferences:

  • Prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soils.

  • Can tolerate poor, dry, sandy, or stony soils once established.

  • Avoid waterlogged or compacted clay soils, especially in winter.

• Watering Guidelines:

  • Water regularly during establishment (first growing season).

  • Once mature, drought-tolerant and only requires occasional watering in dry spells.

  • Do not allow soil to stay consistently wet.

• Feeding Recommendations:

  • Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in early spring.

  • Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers, which promote excessive leaf growth over flowers.

  • In containers, feed every 4–6 weeks with a liquid feed during the growing season.

Flowering, Pruning & Maintenance

• Bloom Period:

  • Begins blooming in late spring (May or early June) and continues through midsummer.

  • With proper deadheading, can produce a second flush of flowers later in the season.

• Deadheading & Cutting Back:

  • Remove spent flower spikes promptly to extend blooming and prevent self-seeding.

  • After the first flush, cut back flowering stems to just above the base foliage to encourage rebloom.

• Seasonal Pruning:

  • In early spring, cut back old growth and tidy the clump as new shoots emerge.

  • No need for autumn pruning; allow foliage to provide winter cover and wildlife shelter.

Propagation, Pests & Diseases

• Propagation Methods:

  • Easily propagated by division in early spring or autumn.

  • Can also be grown from seed, though named cultivars like 'Mainacht' may not come true.

  • Softwood cuttings can be taken in spring or early summer.

• Pest & Disease Resistance:

  • Very low maintenance and generally pest-free.

  • Occasionally susceptible to mildew or fungal leaf spots in humid, shaded, or poorly ventilated conditions.

  • Ensure proper spacing and good airflow to minimise issues.

Companion Planting & Garden Design

• Companion Plants:

  • Complements ornamental grasses, achillea, rudbeckia, coreopsis, and gaura.

  • Works beautifully with silver-foliaged plants like artemisia and stachys.

  • Strong vertical flower spikes contrast well with low-mounding or sprawling perennials.

• Design Uses:

  • Excellent in formal, prairie-style, and wildlife planting schemes.

  • Use in drifts for bold impact or in mixed borders to provide structure and seasonal interest.

  • Also suitable for container planting with good drainage.

Container Growing & Practical Tips

• Container Suitability:

  • Can be grown in medium-sized pots with gritty, free-draining compost.

  • Ensure containers have good drainage holes and do not sit in standing water.

• General Maintenance:

  • Divide every 3–4 years to rejuvenate clumps and maintain vigour.

  • Mulch in spring with compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil and moisture retention without covering the crown

• Size
  2L

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.