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Salvia 'Marcus' is a striking, compact perennial admired for its deep violet flower spikes and dense, aromatic foliage. This dwarf sage variety adds a bold splash of color to garden beds, borders, and containers, making it a favorite for its tidy habit and pollinator-friendly blooms.
Description:
Dimensions: Grows to a height of 8-10 inches with a spread of 10-12 inches. It forms a low, mounded shape with narrow, gray-green leaves that release a subtle, earthy scent when touched.
Sun Exposure: Prefers full sun, ideally receiving 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Thrives in bright conditions to maximize bloom intensity and plant vigor.
Water Requirements: Prefers well-drained soil with moderate watering during establishment. Drought-tolerant once established, it performs best with occasional watering, allowing soil to dry between sessions.
Hardiness Zones: Hardy in Zones 4-9.
Bloom Time: Blooms from early summer to late summer with upright, densely packed spikes of rich purple flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Pruning: Deadhead spent flower spikes to encourage reblooming and cut back to the base in late fall or early spring to refresh the plant and maintain its compact form.
How to Plant:
Location: Ideal for garden beds, borders, rock gardens, or containers in sunny areas. Prefers well-draining soil and open spaces to showcase its vivid floral display.
Soil Preparation: Use well-draining, loamy soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Amend with compost or sand if needed to improve drainage and avoid heavy, wet soils.
Planting: Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball. Place the plant in the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.
Spacing: Space plants 10-12 inches apart to accommodate their mature spread and ensure good air circulation.
Watering: Water thoroughly after planting and keep soil moderately moist during the first growing season. Reduce watering once established, as it thrives in drier conditions.
Fun Fact: Salvia nemorosa 'Marcus' is a petite powerhouse, named for its robust, Marcus-like strength in a small package. Its long-lasting blooms and low-maintenance nature make it a top pick for adding vibrant, pollinator-loving purple to gardens of any size.