Salvia nemorosa 'Apex White' is a compact upright perennial known for its bright white flower spikes that rise above textured aromatic foliage. This selection blooms profusely in early to midsummer and can be encouraged to rebloom with proper deadheading. Thrives in full sun and is especially drought tolerant once established.
Height & Spread: 16 - 18 in x 12 - 18 in
Bloom Time: Early to midsummer, with potential rebloom in late summer
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Well drained, moderately fertile soil
Watering Needs: Low once established
Deer Resistance: Strongly deer and rabbit resistant
Native Status
Salvia nemorosa is native to central Europe and western Asia. 'Apex White' is a cultivated variety bred for ornamental garden performance.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Bees
- Heavily visited by honeybees, bumblebees, and solitary bees due to its dense long blooming flower spikes rich in nectar.
Butterflies
- Attracts butterflies such as Painted Ladies and Small Whites, especially during peak bloom in warm sunny conditions.
Beneficial Insects
- Encourages lacewings, hoverflies, and parasitic wasps which help regulate garden pest populations naturally.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Space plants 12 - 18 inches apart for best air flow and clump expansion.
Landscape Placement:
- Excellent in sunny perennial borders, pollinator strips, rock gardens, and as a tidy edging plant for walkways and patios.
Companion Plants
- Lavandula angustifolia 'Munstead' - Aromatic lavender blooms pair well with the upright white flowers of salvia and support similar pollinators.
- Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' - Fine textured yellow flowers offer color contrast and a long blooming season alongside white salvia spikes.
- Achillea millefolium 'Paprika' - Flat crimson blooms and feathery foliage create a colorful horizontal counterbalance to salvia’s vertical form.
- Stachys byzantina (Lambs Ear) - Velvety silver foliage adds contrast at the base and complements the muted tones of white flowers.
- Veronica spicata 'Icicle' - White flower spikes match in tone and form while extending the bloom season into late summer.