Salvia muelleri (royal purple autumn sage)

Japanese name: サルビア ムエレリ
Scientific name: Salvia muelleri

[Overview]
An evergreen perennial to subshrub 60 cm tall.
The base of the stem becomes woody.
Leaves are simple and opposite, elliptic and slightly tinged with white.
The flowers are blue-purple and lipped, with a rounded, broadly spreading lower lip.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by division or cuttings.
It tolerates temperatures down to -5°C, and even if the aboveground part dies back in winter, it will sprout again in spring as long as the roots do not freeze.
If freezing is a concern, for plants in the ground cut them back to about 20 cm and protect them from the cold, for example by laying straw around the base; bring potted plants indoors.
It prefers a place with good sunlight and drainage.
For potted plants, from spring to autumn water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, and keep it on the dry side in winter.
For plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
If base fertilizer is applied, no further fertilizing is particularly necessary, but for potted plants slow-release fertilizer may be placed on the soil in spring and autumn.
It is hardy, but it dislikes summer heat and humidity, and if the plant becomes stuffy, the inner and lower leaves may die, so cut it back before summer or thin out crowded branches to improve ventilation.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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