Salvia nemorosa 'Grusalrp' RIANNE PURPLE woodland sage
size/type
low perennial,low perennial
usual height
0,3-0,4m
usual width
0,3-0,4m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
June-August
location
full to partial sun
soil type
any (acidic to alkaline)
soil moisture requirements
evenly moist (dislikes drought)
USDA zone (lowest)
4 (down to -34°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Salvia is a large genus, containing about 900 species. In our climate mostly common (evergreen) sage is grown for culinary uses. Also, very popular are those of subtropical origin that are used here as annuals with long flowering season, especially in public areas. We concentrate on herbaceous perennials which are not widely cultivated, and we believe that there are species, hybrids, and varieties worth the job.
Description of the plant:
In 2013 Dutch breeder André de Gruyter registered his beautiful blue woodland sage variety named Rianne, not knowing that 6 year later he would find a natural mutation of it with even larger flowers on taller stems and larger foliage. It was patented as PP32658 in 2020 and its provisional name is RIANNE PURPLEbut there are rumours that the new trade name might be PURPLE PARADISE (in 2021), let’s wait and see what the new name will be.
RIANNE PURPLE
is a woodland sage with deep purple blue flowers atop 30-35 cm tall stems. They open in June and continue flowering freely for about 8-10 weeks. Plants look similar to meadow sage, their stems are upright and bloom well above the foliage. You cut the whole plant back to the ground after the first flowering phase and feed it a little if the plants do not look unsightly, they will re-grow into a nice and bushy clump with plenty of flowering stems offering the same show in late summer. Leaves are 5-7 cm long, mid green, narrowly ovate to broadly lanceolate, wrinkled, and softly hairy.
Sage will grow in almost any well-drained soil. For best results grow it in light, humus-rich, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. It needs no fertilizing, only in very poor or compacted soils it will benefit from occasional feeding with a balanced fertilizer. In early spring remove all above-ground parts except for rosette of new or over-wintered, healthy leaves lying flat on the ground. It is perfectly hardy to about -34 °C (USDA zone 4) and will grow in outdoor pots and throws, too.
Last update 06-08-2021
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