Salvia 'Violet Profusion'

Salvia 'Violet Profusion': Violet Spikes That Just Keep Coming

Road salt, scorching sun, a dry spell and a neighbour's snowblower. 'Violet Profusion' has heard it all and keeps blooming like it's on retainer. VIOLET-BLUE AND ABSOLUTELY UNSHAKEABLE.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Salvia nemorosa 'Violet Profusion'
• Common Name: Meadow Sage
• Series: Profusion, a Proven Winners® perennial
• Height: 36–41 cm (14–16 in)
• Spread: 41–51 cm (16–20 in)
• Flowers: Violet-blue, in rosy purple calyxes
• Bloom Time: Late spring through summer (June to August), in repeat waves
• Foliage: Green and fragrant, in a dense, rounded clump
• Features: Reblooming, fragrant, salt tolerant, rabbit resistant

Where to Plant: It's a natural edger for sunny beds, walkways and driveways. It's rated salt tolerant, so it's worth trying near a sidewalk where winter salt splashes. It also fills containers nicely and suits a cut or dried flower bed.

Companion Plants: Plant 'Violet Profusion' in a sunny, dry bed with white phlox, scarlet coneflowers and black hollyhocks. Phlox subulata 'Snowflake' carpets the front at 10 to 15 cm with white flowers in April and May. Echinacea 'Mellow Scarlets' adds orange and red coneflowers at 80 cm from June to October. Alcea 'Blacknight' rises at the back to 150 to 180 cm with black-purple hollyhocks in July and August. Schizachyrium Prairie Winds® 'Blue Paradise' adds silvery blue blades at 90 to 105 cm.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun in average to fertile, well-drained soil. It tolerates acidic to alkaline soil. Water through the first season. After that it handles dry spells, though steady moisture means more flowers. Shear the plant back by about half after each flush of bloom to bring on the next. Cut it down in late fall or early spring. Divide in spring every few years if needed. Keep it out of spots where water pools in winter.

History: 'Violet Profusion' was bred by Hans Hansen at Walters Gardens in Zeeland, Michigan, from a 2013 cross between two unreleased seedlings. Those same parents produced its sister 'Pink Profusion'.

Final Thoughts: Line the driveway with it and let winter do its worst. The hummingbirds will thank you in person. SALT? IT ASKED FOR SECONDS.