• Image of Salvia glabrescens 'Autumn Equinox' taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG
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Salvia glabrescens 'Autumn Equinox'

Autumn Equinox Japanese Woodland Sage

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Item #: 15303

Zones: 5b to 8b

Dormancy: Winter

Height: 24" tall

Culture: Part Sun to Light Shade

Origin: Japan

Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


Salvia glabrescens 'Autumn Equinox' has proven to be a superb form of the Japanese woodland sage from the folks at Issima. We've found it to be an improved form of Salvia 'Shi Ho', with more vigor and a better floral display. Starting for us in mid-September, the 2' tall clumps are adorned with terminal clusters of large bicolor purple and light lavender flowers. Salvia glabrescens clumps enlarge annually, eventually reaching 6' -7' in width. Good drainage and light shade are the keys to success.

Maintenance:

The tidy gardener will want to cut Salvia glabrescens to the ground once a killing frost has ended its glorious fall display. This is about all the maintenance this salvia needs. Though, it is perhaps possible that in a small garden one might need to, after many years, divide the clump and reduce its size, replanting divisions elsewhere or sharing them with others.

Growing Conditions:

Yes, dear gardener, there are salvias that prefer shade to sun, and Salvia glabrescens is a superb plant for the shade garden. Make it bright shade, or a few hours of sun. Salvia glabrescens tolerates a wide range of soil types except soggy or excessively dry.

Natural Impact:

Got shade? Want flowers? Want color? In the fall? Then plant Salvia glabrescens! This is a show-stopper in the shady garden in the fall and a plant that is easy to grow and generally avoided by deer and rabbits. Salvias are generally visited by pollinators so this one might be as well. Combine it with other shade-tolerant fall blooming plants such as toadlily, Tricyrtis.

The color range of Salvia glabrescens is purple and violet. There are other shade tolerant, late summer to fall blooming Salvias such as Salvia glutinosa, Salvia nipponica and Salvia koyamae all of which are shades of yellow and differ in plant size.