Salvia Maxima, also known as Salvia Officinalis 'Maxima', Common Sage, or Garden Sage, is native to Eastern Europe. Salvia Maxima is a highly aromatic cultivar with the most substantial leaves of any Sage available. This plant has an upright habit of 32" tall, spreading to 24", and is hardy in zone 5-9. Pink flowers bloom in spring on silver-gray evergreen foliage. Sage does well in full sun with nothing more than regular water and offers many culinary and landscape benefits. The herbaceous perennial excels in borders, rock gardens, and herb gardens. For a superior culinary variety, try Salvia Grower's Friend. For a uniquely colored Sage, try Salvia Purpurascens.
This Variety Also Available as Non-Organic
Salvia Maxima Selling Tips
Sell Salvia Maxima to customers looking for an aromatic Sage for landscape borders or an herb garden. Maxima offers many benefits to your customer, from excellent fragrance and sizeable foliage to pink flowers in spring. It is low-maintenance, attracts pollinators, and has culinary and ornamental value. Grow Sage with Rosemary, Cabbage, and Carrots in the vegetable garden or alongside Coreopsis and Thyme in a border. Salvia Maxima typically repels insects, deer, and rabbits in the landscape. This variety flourishes in full sun with regular water and is an excellent choice for gardens and landscape borders.
Coach Your Customer
1. Plant Sage in well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Space plants 18-24 inches apart and water regularly.
2. Though this plant is hardy in zone 5-9, it is best grown as an annual or replaced every couple of years to keep the foliage fresh and full.
General Growing Tips For Your Rooted Cutting Liner
For best results with Salvia Maxima , use light, well-drained soil with a constant liquid feed program of 150-200 ppm N on well-rooted plants and a pH of 5.5-6.5. Plant one rooted plug per 4-inch container. Pinch once 5-10 days after transplanting. You may see aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies in greenhouse conditions. Though Salvia isn't prone to disease, take precautions to prevent root rot.
Flowering
Pink flowers bloom in spring.
Pinching
Pinch once, 5-10 days after transplanting.
Spacing
Space 4-inch containers as needed to allow airflow and penetration of light between plants. Salvia Maxima can grow to a 24" spread. We do not recommend planting rooted plugs in 1801 or other traditional market trays as they tend to get leggy and can develop fungus when they have insufficient space.
Height Control
We do not recommend using chemical growth regulators on herbs or organic plants.
Pests
In the greenhouse, you may see aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. In landscape and garden applications, Sage is generally insect-repellent and attracts pollinators.
Disease
Salvia Maxima isn't disease prone but avoid oversaturating the soil. If the plant sits in moist soil at length, you could end up with root rot or botrytis. Botrytis grey rot tends to occur in wet or humid conditions. Take these steps to prevent botrytis: water in the morning and allow the plant to dry out between waterings; provide good airflow in your greenhouse; space plants so the sun can penetrate to the soil level. To best fight root rot in herbs, use an organic or garden-safe fungicide, like Neem Oil.
Planting Salvia Maxima Liners
We recommend planting one rooted liner per 4-inch container. Use well-drained soil and completely bury the ellepot in the middle of the pot.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Organic Herbs Salvia Maxima Quick Reference Guide
| 4 Inch crop time | 7-8 Weeks |
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| Bloom Period | Spring |
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| Color | Pink |
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| Habit | Upright |
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| Height | 32 inches |
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| Light | Full Sun, Partial Shade |
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| Minimum Temp | 57 |
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| Perennial Zone | Zones 5-9 |
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| Water Needs | Moderate |
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| Patented Plant | No |
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