Salvia sclarea ‘Alba’

Salvia sclarea ‘Alba’

Statuesque and striking, Salvia sclarea ‘Alba’ brings bold presence to borders with its towering white bracts, flushed subtly with green, and soft, felted leaves, it flowers in early to midsummer, sending up branching stems that catch the light and draw in pollinators from afar.

The foliage is rich in essential oils and releases a clary-sweet aroma when brushed. While it blooms in its second year, plants establish lushly in their first season — and self-seed freely where happy, ensuring ongoing drama with little effort.

Specifications:

• Height: 80–120 cm (in flower)

• Spread: 40–60 cm

• Flowering: June to August (second year)

• Position: Full sun

• Soil: Free-draining; thrives in chalk, sand, or light clay

• Maintenance: Deadhead to prolong flowering; allow seedheads to mature if you want it to self-sow

🌿 Note for Isle of Wight planting:

Perfect for dry, sunny Island gardens where bold form and effortless self-seeding are prized. Excellent in gravel borders, wildlife patches, or herbaceous schemes with poor soil — especially where wind and drought are a factor. Once established, it returns year after year through seed, often popping up in pleasantly unexpected places.

🌿 Ideal Companion Plants from The Green Standard Range:

• Agastache rugosa ‘Liquorice Blue’ – shares stature, scent, and pollinator power

• Achillea millefolium ‘Wild form’ – low, textural contrast and white-on-white elegance

• Verbena officinalis ‘Bampton’ – airy movement and subtle colour echo

• Erigeron karvinskianus – frothy daisies to weave between young or flowering clary

• Pennisetum orientale ‘Flamingo’ – feathery plumes soften Salvia’s upright drama

🌟 The Green Standard Tip:

Sow or plant in blocks for bold architectural impact — or let it self-seed for a wilder, looser feel. Combine with grasses or yarrow for a low-fuss, high-style Mediterranean look that thrives even in tough, dry spots.