Salvia ‘Cherry Pie’
£7.50
Salvia ‘Cherry Pie’
A vibrant, long-flowering Salvia with rich cherry-red blooms that bring a splash of colour to sunny borders and patio pots.
Salvia ‘Cherry Pie’ is a striking perennial, producing masses of vivid cherry-red flowers over aromatic green foliage. Flowering from early summer well into autumn, its colourful blooms are particularly attractive to bees and other pollinators, providing a valuable nectar source throughout the warmer months. Its compact, bushy habit makes it an excellent choice for adding bold colour without overwhelming neighbouring plants.
Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, Salvia ‘Cherry Pie’ is ideal for sunny borders, gravel gardens and containers. Once established, it is relatively drought tolerant and requires little maintenance beyond occasional watering during prolonged dry spells. Regular deadheading encourages further flowering, while its neat, branching growth creates a lovely rounded display.
Specifications
Position: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil
Height: Approximately 40–60cm
Spread: Approximately 40–60cm
Flowering Period: June–October, often longer in mild weather
Colour: Rich cherry-red
Foliage: Aromatic green
Hardiness: Half-hardy perennial; protect from prolonged frost
Pollinator Friendly: Yes – particularly attractive to bees
Maintenance: Low; deadhead regularly to encourage continuous flowering
Note for Isle of Wight Planting
Salvia ‘Cherry Pie’ is particularly well suited to the Isle of Wight's sunny, relatively mild climate. Plant in a sheltered, free-draining position to give it the best chance of overwintering successfully. Although it may survive mild winters outdoors, cold, wet soil can be more damaging than frost alone. A protective mulch around the root area can help, but avoid covering the crown. In exposed gardens, growing in a container that can be moved somewhere frost-free is advisable.
Ideal Companion Plants from The Green Standard Range
Gaura ‘Whirling Butterflies’ – Delicate white flowers provide a soft, airy contrast to the bold cherry-red blooms.
Nepeta ‘Walker's Low’ – Lavender-blue flowers and soft grey-green foliage create a beautiful colour combination while attracting pollinators.
Verbena ‘Bampton’ – Airy purple-pink flowers and dark foliage add depth and a naturalistic feel to the planting.
Stipa tenuissima – Fine, flowing golden-green grasses soften the planting and introduce gentle movement.
Hylotelephium ‘Iceberg’ – Creamy-white late-season flowerheads complement the red Salvia while extending interest into autumn.
🌟 The Green Standard Tip
For a particularly striking combination, plant Salvia ‘Cherry Pie’ alongside Nepeta ‘Walker's Low’ and Gaura ‘Whirling Butterflies’. The contrast between cherry-red, lavender-blue and delicate white creates a colourful but balanced display that flowers for months. Avoid cutting the Salvia back hard in autumn; leave the stems over winter and tidy up once new growth appears in spring.