Salvia nemorosa 'April Night' is a compact and early blooming selection of meadow sage valued for its vivid indigo blue flower spikes and tidy clumping habit. Its aromatic foliage deters browsing animals while its prolonged floral display enhances seasonal interest.
Height & Spread: 10 - 12 in x 12 - 18 in
Bloom Time: Mid spring to early summer
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Well drained soil; tolerant of poor or sandy soils
Watering Needs: Low once established
Deer Resistance: Deer and rabbit resistant due to aromatic oils in the foliage
Native Status
Salvia nemorosa is native to Europe and Western Asia. 'April Night' is a cultivated variety bred for improved compact habit and earlier bloom time.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Bees
- Highly attractive to honeybees, bumblebees, and solitary bees including mason and leafcutter bees.
Butterflies
- Frequented by skippers, sulfurs, and swallowtails that are drawn to the nectar rich flowers.
Beneficial Insects
- Supports predatory wasps and hoverflies that help manage garden pests.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Space 12 - 18 in apart to allow for air circulation and mounding habit.
Landscape Placement:
- Ideal for sunny borders, xeriscapes, pollinator gardens, and mass plantings; pairs well with other early summer bloomers and silver leaved plants.
Companion Plants
- Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' - Deep violet lavender spikes and silver foliage blend aromatically and visually with salvia.
- Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' - Compact golden daisy like flowers bloom in sync and contrast with the vertical salvia spires.
- Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' - Upright pink blooms echo the salvia’s vertical energy while attracting overlapping pollinators.
- Achillea millefolium 'Paprika' - Flat clusters of red blooms provide shape contrast and long blooming structure.
- Stachys byzantina (Lambs Ear) - Soft silver foliage forms a textured base and tolerates similar dry conditions.