JOAN’S SAGE

Salvia involucrata ‘Joan’

Showy large heads of sugar-pink flowers. And it is hard to catch “Joan” out of flower. Because she blooms practically all year round. Including in the middle of winter in milder areas.

‘Joan’ is a tough hardy girl for long hot summers. But she also tolerates humidity with the heat very well. And is reported to be more tolerant of summer wet than many of her cousins. As well as being more tolerant of frost than many others, and reliably able to regenerate from the rootstock after a hard winter.

‘Joan’ also has large, attractive, fresh green foliage. And can be used to make an informal backdrop hedge, or a solo taller central plant.  
1.2m. High approx. x 1.2m. Wide approx.

……. And who is Joan? Joan Eyles helped to make this outstanding, but previously unnamed sage, popular in the 1990’s. Gardener Joan generously shared her cuttings and reports about bone hardiness and long flowering. Until “Joan’s Sage” became indispensable for all gardeners who love hardy and long blooming plants.

Native birds & bees will love you

Your local native honey-eating birds also thank you for the constant supply of nectar-rich flowers virtually all year round. While the bees are besotted too.

Great plant for making a show

Salvia involucrata ‘Joan’ is upright growing and rounded – so it makes a great background or even a hedge for smaller plants and groundcovers. Or as a garden centrepiece to carry the show on for most of the year. Large, fresh-green leaves make a pretty backdrop to any other flowers.

Great tolerance for hot & dry periods, but also to humidity

Salvia ‘Joan’ is highly recommended for our sub-tropical gardeners, or those with summer humidity, such as in Sydney and further north. But ‘Joan’ is also suitable for gardeners in more Mediterranean climates. As it also thrives in long, hot, dry summers. And can tolerate frosts better than most.

But if you live in an area with heavier frost, then plant Salvia ‘Joan’ beside taller trees and shrubs to give some extra overhead cover. ‘Joan’ is perfectly happy in dry shade for part to half of the day, as well as in full blazing sun.

Water-wise Salvia involucrata ‘Joan’

‘Joan’ is a Salvia involucrata. All the Salvia involucrata family members are water-wise. So Salvia ‘Joan’ will happily potter along with just some occasional water assistance during long, dry periods.

But must be well drained soil

Salvia involucrata ‘Joan’ needs well drained soil and resents wet feet. Though she does tolerate summer rain well and better than most.

She is happiest in acid to neutral pH soil, without too much fertilizer. ‘Joan’ performs best a little on the lean and mean side, and not overfed.  

Trick for pruning Salvia ‘Joan’

All Salvia involucrata hybrids should be pruned hard after flowering (or whenever you can catch them out of flower – and this is difficult with ‘Joan’).

So, harden your heart and cut all the large woody stems right back to ground level in early spring. Just leaving any fresh shoots that may be emerging.

Or if you can’t bear the temporary bare spot – then cut half the clump back to the ground first, then chop the other half of the clump later. So, you never have a bare spot without colour. The foliage of ‘Joan’ is an asset all year round.

And what is an involucrate Salvia?????

An “involucrate” in botanical talk is a top-knot or a knob at the top of the flower spike.

And it is particularly pronounced and lovely in most hybrids and descendants of Salvia involucrata.

So, on Salvia involucrate ‘Joan’ you have a furry, velvety, deeply coloured top knot on every flower stem.

GROWING: Salvia involucrata ‘Joan’

Height with flowers: 1.2m approx. Though in richer soils or with more water it can grow higher. It is an excellent background or centre-piece plant.

Width: 1.2m. wide approx. Though can be wider in richer conditions. 

Bloom Season:  From late spring-early summer, right through summer and well into autumn.

Position: Full Sun to part-shade is optimum. Dappled shade is tolerated. Suits coastal, hot or dry gardens, as well as areas with summer humidity.

Water: Water wise plant. Drought resistant once established. Can tolerate periods of dry well with minimal additional water assistance.

Frost: Tolerates light frosts to approx. -5C. but some overhead shelter from neighbouring trees or shrubs allows it to grow in more frosty areas. 

Soil: Tolerates a wide range of soils – from acid to neutral pH. But soil must always be well drained. Particularly suited to sandy soils and coastal positions.

Growth: Upright shrubby perennial.

Care & Maintenance: Easy care, low maintenance.

Pests & Diseases: Rarely troubled by pests or diseases.

Pruning: Pruning is not essential.  But your plant will flower better and longer if all mature stems are pruned hard back to the ground in spring, after flowering.

Fertilizer: Do not over-fertilize. Quality fertilizer, such as Powerfeed, can be applied sparingly in spring. This plant is not a heavy feeder.

We recommend to water in with Seasol at planting, and regularly after to enhance resistance against frost, wind and heat. 

Container: Hardy & easy in a large pot. And the long blooming season makes it a particularly good feature pot.  

Bees, Birds & Pollinators: Flowers are very attractive to bees, butterflies, honey eating native birds, and other beneficial pollinators. The long and prolific winter blooming period means there is abundant nectar for bees and birds over the cold months.

Rabbits & Deer Resistance: Unlikely to be bothered by either rabbits or deer, as they dislike the taste of the aromatic foliage.

Pet Friendly: No known ill effects for pets.

Quarantine Restriction: None. Salvia involucrata ‘Joan’ can be delivered to all states by Di’s Delightful Plants. One of Australia’s largest on-line mail order nurseries.

Bulk Discount
If you buy 3-6 plants there will be a $0.50 discount per plant"
If you buy 7+ plants there will be a $1.00 discount per plant
Plants on Special are excluded