Salvia 'Intense'

Intense Salvia / Intense Sage

Botanical Name: Salvia ‘Intense’
Family: Lamiaceae
Origin: Garden hybrid (Mediterranean ancestry)
Plant Type: Evergreen perennial shrub

Overview

A vibrant and long-flowering salvia perfectly suited to Adelaide’s dry Mediterranean climate. Salvia ‘Intense’ lives up to its name with masses of rich magenta-pink flowers that appear from late spring through autumn. Its compact, mounding form and aromatic mid-green foliage make it ideal for borders, mixed plantings, and waterwise landscapes. Hardy, pollinator-friendly, and low-maintenance, it’s a reliable performer through heat and drought once established.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.6–0.8 m H × 0.6–0.9 m W (rounded, bushy habit)
• Growth Rate: 25–40 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Soft, aromatic, mid-green leaves with slightly textured surface; may take on silvery tints in dry or coastal conditions
• Flowers: Dense spikes of vivid magenta-pink blooms from late spring to late autumn; heavy flush in early summer, with repeat flowering until cool weather
  
• Seasonal Interest: Nearly year-round presence – evergreen in mild SA winters; peak bloom in spring–autumn for continuous colour and pollinator activity
• Wildlife Value: Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and nectar-feeding birds (especially honeyeaters)
• Tolerance: Drought-tolerant (once established), heat-tolerant, wind-tolerant, coastal-tolerant (second-line); light frost (protect from hard frost in hills or frost hollows); handles reflective heat from paving or gravel
• Planting Density: Borders: 2–3 plants per linear metre; Mass planting: 3–4 plants per m² for full coverage; Containers: Use 30–40 cm pots
• Pet Friendly: Non-toxic to cats and dogs

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun for strongest colour and flowering; tolerates light shade but may bloom less heavily
• Soil: Free-draining loam or sandy soil; tolerates slightly alkaline conditions typical of Adelaide soils
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; minimal water needed in winter
• Maintenance: Lightly trim after each flush of flowers to promote rebloom, hard prune by one-third in late winter to maintain a neat shape, avoid over-fertilising; apply a light, low-nitrogen feed in spring if desired
• Lifespan: 5–8+ years in suitable conditions
• Climate Zones: Ideal for Mediterranean and temperate South Australia – Adelaide Plains, Barossa, Fleurieu, Yorke Peninsula
• Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline (tolerates slightly acid)

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Cottage & Mediterranean Gardens: Pair with Lavandula, Gaura, and Santolina for soft, blended colour
• Dry Borders & Nature Strips: Brightens low-water gardens and verges
• Native & Pollinator Gardens: Mix with Eremophila, Westringia, or Scaevola for nectar diversity

• Alfresco & Courtyard Use: Excellent for pots or raised beds with full sun exposure

Why You Will Love It

Salvia ‘Intense’ delivers months of glowing magenta blooms and aromatic foliage with minimal fuss. Perfectly adapted to South Australian conditions, it thrives on neglect once established — rewarding you with long-lasting colour, pollinator activity, and easy upkeep in even the hottest, driest spots.