Salvia ‘May Night’ – Deep Violet Spikes for Bold, Early Season Color
Salvia ‘May Night’ (also known as Salvia x sylvestris ‘Mainacht’) is a multi-award-winning perennial celebrated for its richly saturated violet-blue flower spikes and outstanding garden performance. Among the earliest salvias to bloom, it brings long-lasting color, fragrance, and pollinator activity to borders and beds. With its upright form, drought tolerance, and low maintenance needs, ‘May Night’ is a reliable favorite for both formal and informal landscapes.
Seasonal Beauty & Growth
Spring:
Early in the season, grey-green foliage forms a compact clump, giving way to upright stems topped with intensely dark violet-blue flowers—one of the earliest salvias to bloom.
Summer:
As flowering peaks from late spring through midsummer, dense flower spikes rise above the foliage, attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Regular deadheading extends the blooming season.
Autumn:
After flowering, the spent stems can be cut back to encourage a neat form and possible late flush. Foliage remains present and aromatic.
Winter:
Herbaceous perennial that dies back in colder regions but reliably returns each spring. In mild areas, some foliage may persist.
Structure & Form
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Height: 45–60 cm
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Spread: 40–50 cm
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Growth Habit: Upright, clump-forming
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Foliage: Aromatic, lance-shaped grey-green leaves
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Flowers: Deep violet-blue spikes with dark calyces
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Growth Rate: Moderate
Perfect for Various Landscapes
Mixed Borders & Cottage Gardens: Adds vertical accent and bold color in perennial schemes.
Pollinator Gardens: A favorite among bees and butterflies for its nectar-rich blooms.
Drought-Tolerant & Mediterranean Gardens: Thrives in dry, sunny conditions and poor soils.
Edging & Pathways: Compact enough for the front of borders and along walkways.
Containers: Grows well in pots with good drainage—perfect for patios and balconies.
Growing Conditions & Care
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Position: Full sun is essential for the best flowering and form.
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Soil: Well-drained soil is a must. Prefers moderately fertile, sandy, or chalky conditions.
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Hardiness: Hardy perennial UK H7;
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Watering: Drought-tolerant once established; water in prolonged dry spells.
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Maintenance: Deadhead regularly to promote reblooming. Cut back spent stems to the base after flowering or in early spring to maintain shape.
Why Choose Salvia ‘May Night’?
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Award-Winning: RHS Award of Garden Merit and All-America Selections winner for outstanding performance.
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Rich, Dark Blooms: Deep violet-blue flowers provide dramatic color and contrast.
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Early & Long Flowering: One of the earliest salvias to bloom, with a season that stretches from late spring through summer.
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Low-Maintenance: Thrives in heat, sun, and poor soils—ideal for busy or low-input gardens.
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Pollinator-Friendly: Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
Perfect Plant Combinations
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Perennials: Pair with Nepeta, Achillea, Coreopsis, or Echinacea for a colorful summer border.
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Grasses: Use with Stipa tenuissima, Festuca, or Pennisetum for contrast and movement.
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Shrubs: Plant in front of compact shrubs like Lavandula, Santolina, or Buxus.
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Foliage Interest: Combine with Heuchera, Artemisia, or Stachys byzantina for texture and tone variation.
Salvia ‘May Night’ is a bold and early-flowering salvia that delivers dramatic color, compact form, and low-maintenance beauty throughout the growing season. Whether used in traditional borders or modern drought-tolerant schemes, it's a high-impact, easy-care perennial that no sunny garden should be without.
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
