Salvia 'Bumbleblue'

Salvia nemorosa 'Bumbleblue': Crisp Colour, Compact Form

Tidy, vivid, and effortlessly showy, Salvia 'Bumbleblue' delivers a profusion of true blue-violet flower spikes atop a compact mound of fragrant foliage. Blooming in early summer with a strong potential for rebloom, this small but mighty perennial brings clarity and contrast to sunny borders. Its upright stems are sturdy and floriferous, drawing in bees and butterflies while maintaining a clean, uniform appearance—perfect for mass plantings, edging, or pollinator beds.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 25–30 cm
• Spread: 30–35 cm
• Flower Colour: Blue-violet
• Flowering Period: Early to midsummer with repeat bloom
• Foliage: Aromatic, deep green, fine-textured
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, average to sandy soils

Uses and Benefits: A natural fit for small-space gardens, edging, and pollinator strips, 'Bumbleblue' thrives where bigger Salvias might overwhelm. Its saturated blue tones bring cool contrast to warm-toned companions and silvery foliage. Low maintenance and deer resistant, it’s an easy way to add structure and summer-long interest to hot, dry areas.

Companion Plants: Pair Salvia 'Bumbleblue' with the silvery foliage and soft yellow umbels of Achillea 'Moonshine', the vertical blue-green blades of Panicum 'Prairie Sky', and the ground-hugging steel-blue rosettes of Sedum 'Blue Spruce' for a crisp, cool-toned planting that thrives in sun and poor soil.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun with sharply drained soil. Water regularly until established, then only during prolonged drought. Shear back after the first flush to promote rebloom. Cut down fully in early spring. Divide every few years to maintain dense growth and flowering power.

History: Part of the compact “Bumble” series from Walters Gardens, 'Bumbleblue' was bred for intense colour, manageable size, and clean garden performance. It has quickly become a favourite in contemporary perennial design.

Final Thoughts: Cool, clean, and colour-rich, Salvia 'Bumbleblue' offers season-spanning bloom in a space-saving form. A reliable burst of blue-violet that brings pollinators and polish to any sunny planting.