1997 Perennial Plant of the Year: Salvia 'May Night'

The Perennial Plant Association is pleased to announce that Salvia 'May Night' has been selected as the Perennial Plant of the Year for 1997. Salvias, members of the large mint family, are known for their aromatic foliage, attractive leaves and long season of bloom. 'May Night' is one of the most versatile cultivars.

It has the typical square stem of the mints, deliciously fragrant foliage and it flowers are attractive to honey bees and other garden-flower pollinators. Leaves are slightly blue-gray in color, finely toothed, hairy and about 2-3" long. Salvias love sun and 'May Night' is no exception. It will grow in a variety of soils, but does best in moderately rich soils and even dry ones that occasionally stress the plant during short-term summer droughts. The growth habit of 'May Night' is distinctively stiff and upright, forming a small mound.

But it is the gorgeous floral display that sets this gem apart from its plainer cousins. Flowers are rich, indigo-black, outlined with delicate purple bracts. When mature, this plant will be 1-2 1/2' tall and 1-2' across. The main flowering time for 'May Night' is in May/June and the bloom time extends into July. Place 'May Night' in the middle of the perennial border, or use it as a specimen plant. 'May Night' does best in hardiness zones 4 through 8, and it likes a winter mulch in colder areas. However, as with so many perennials, placing it in soils that are well drained during the winter increases plant vigor and extends its life. It has no serious disease or pest problems, although in hot humid areas it will occasionally be attacked by spider mites.

Cultivation
In northern gardens, Salvia prefers sunny locations, but would probably benefit from light shade in the more intense summer heat of southern gardens. Plant 'May Night' in a soil that is moderately well drained especially during the winter. 'May Night' can be easily established from container-grown plants anytime during the growing season, or from bare-root field divisions during spring. When planting, be sure to dig a hole twice the diameter of the plant and place at the same depth as it was in the container or in its previous location. Firm the soil around the plant and water in thoroughly. Salvias do best in a moderately rich soil, so a spring application of an organic fertilizer or general purpose fertilizer such as a 10-10-10 or a 10-6-4 at the rate of 1-2 lbs. per thousand square feet is adequate.

Landscape Uses
In the perennial border, 'May Night' is especially good in combination with the yellow Achillea 'Coronation Gold' or with pink or red herbaceous peonies.

Source: Perennial Plant Association

Early Summer 1997
Watering Lawns Properly | 1997 Perennial Plant of the Year - Salvia 'May Night' | Shrub of the Month - Butterfly Bush | Garden Myths | Basics of Fertilizing Houseplants | Cybergarden Sites | Bug Bites | Lawn Care Calendar | Hort Shorts | Hort Tips | Food Safety: The Summertime Rules | Healthy Cooking: All Vegetables Are Not Created Equal | Locally Grown: The Best Is Yet to Come | Health Update: First Aid Kit To Go | Health & Household Tips | Did You Know?

Index | Feedback