Snow Hill Sage Salvia × sylvestris 'Schneehügel'
ABOUT
Salvia × sylvestris 'Schneehügel', commonly referred to as Snow Hill Sage, is a decorative perennial plant that features a striking appearance, primarily known for its bountiful blooms and attractive foliage. This plant boasts a mound of aromatic, green leaves that are ovate in shape and adorned with a fine texture, providing a lush, dense base for the blooms. The most eye-catching aspect of Snow Hill Sage is its flowers. It produces tall, upright spikes that are densely packed with small, two-lipped blooms. These blossoms are a crisp and pure white color, adding a bright and refreshing contrast to the green foliage. The flowers are tube-shaped and clustered together, forming spires that rise above the foliage, giving the plant a stately and elegant look. Furthermore, the stems of the Snow Hill Sage are sturdy and upright, supporting the weight of the blooms with ease. This ensures that the floral displays remain prominent and do not become lost within the plant's foliage. The arrangement of the flowers on the spike is such that it creates a neat and orderly appearance, with each bloom having its own space to be admired. The combination of the Snow Hill Sage's pure white flowers, green aromatic foliage, and tidy growth habit makes it a popular choice for gardeners who wish to add a touch of serenity and grace to their garden's design. It is known to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, adding not only beauty but also ecological value to its surroundings. This plant's refined character and appealing aesthetic make it a favorite for creating a soothing and picturesque garden scene.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Lamiaceae
Synonyms
Snow Hill Sage, Snowhill Sage, Snowcap Sage
Common names
Salvia × sylvestris 'Schneehügel'.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Salvia x sylvestris 'Schneehügel', commonly known as Snow Hill Sage, is known for attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, providing them with nectar and pollen.
- Drought-Tolerant: Once established, Snow Hill Sage requires minimal water, making it suitable for xeriscaping and water-conserving gardens.
- Low Maintenance: This plant is relatively undemanding and can thrive without much attention, ideal for gardeners seeking low-maintenance landscaping.
- Deer Resistant: Its aromatic foliage makes it unpalatable to deer, reducing the risk of damage in areas with deer populations.
- Ornamental Value: With its spikes of white flowers, it adds visual interest and aesthetic appeal to garden beds, borders, and containers.
- Aromatic Foliage: The leaves emit a pleasant fragrance when brushed against, adding a sensory aspect to the garden experience.
- Long Blooming Period: Snow Hill Sage has a lengthy flowering season, usually from late spring to summer, providing color in the garden for an extended time.
- Hardy Perennial: It is a hardy plant that can survive in a range of climates and come back year after year with proper care.
- Soil Adaptability: It is adaptable to various soil types, though it prefers well-drained soils, making it versatile for different garden settings.
- Erosion Control: Its root system helps to stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes or in areas where this could be a concern.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Salvia 'Schneehügel', also known as Snow Hill Sage, can be used in flower arrangements, both fresh and dried, for its attractive spikes of white flowers.
- The plant can be grown as part of a butterfly garden to attract a variety of pollinators with its nectar-rich blooms.
- In landscaping, Snow Hill Sage can be utilized as a border plant, creating a neat and uniform edge along garden beds or walkways.
- Due to its compact size, Snow Hill Sage is suitable for container gardening, adding height and texture to mixed plantings.
- The plant's gray-green foliage can provide a contrasting backdrop for more brightly colored flowers in a perennial bed.
- Snow Hill Sage can be used in xeriscaping and water-wise gardens as it requires minimal watering once established.
- It can serve as an understory plant in a layered garden design, thriving beneath taller shrubs and trees while providing ground cover.
- The aromatic leaves of Snow Hill Sage may be used to create natural potpourri or sachets, offering a subtle fragrance for the home.
- In culinary arts, while not typical for this variety, some salvia leaves may be used as an edible garnish or flavoring in salads and dishes.
- The sturdy stems of Snow Hill Sage can be used in crafting, for example, to create woven wreaths or other decorative items when dried.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Woodland Sage is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Woodland Sage is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Healing: Salvia, commonly known as sage, has been associated with healing due to its medicinal properties used in traditional herbal remedies.
- Wisdom: The Latin name Salvia is derived from the word 'salvere', which means 'to save' or 'to heal', and has also been related to wisdom and longevity.
- Protection: Sage has a long history of being used in spiritual rituals to ward off evil and purify spaces, symbolizing protection.
- Cleansing: The act of burning sage for smudging is believed to cleanse a space or person of negative energy, making it symbolic of cleansing and purification.
WaterThe Woodland Sage should be watered deeply once a week, ensuring that the soil is moist but not waterlogged. During hot and dry spells, water the plant every few days, providing about 1.5 gallons of water to the base of the plant to encourage deep root growth. In well-drained soil, adjust watering to maintain slight moisture without causing standing water. Cut back on watering as the temperatures drop in fall and the plant goes dormant.
LightThe Woodland Sage thrives best in full sun to partial shade. Ideally, it should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. A spot that offers morning sunlight and protection from the intense heat of the late afternoon is optimal.
TemperatureThe Woodland Sage thrives in temperatures that range between 60°F to 70°F but can survive in temperatures as low as 20°F and as high as 85°F. However, extreme temperatures for prolonged periods may impair growth or necessitate additional care.
PruningPruning Woodland Sage involves deadheading spent blooms to encourage a second flowering and cutting back the plant in late fall or early spring to promote healthy, bushy growth. Prune the plant after the first flush of flowers to keep it compact and to stimulate new blooms. The best time for a major cut back is early spring, just as the new growth starts to appear.
CleaningAs needed
SoilWoodland sage thrives in well-draining, loamy soil with a pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.0. Amend the soil with compost and ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.
RepottingWoodland sage planted in containers may need repotting every 2-3 years to refresh the potting mix and provide room for growth.
Humidity & MistingWoodland sage prefers moderate humidity levels typical of outdoor environments and does not have special humidity requirements.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright light and ensure soil drainage.
Outdoor
Full sun, well-draining soil, and space for air circulation.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
Life cycleSalvia × sylvestris 'Schneehügel', commonly known as Snow Hill Sage, begins its life cycle as a seed, which upon germination in early spring, develops into a small seedling. The seedling grows rapidly, leveraging the warmer temperatures and increased sunlight to establish a robust root system and foliage. As the plant matures, it enters the vegetative stage, producing characteristic grey-green leaves and becoming a hardy perennial clump. By late spring to early summer, Snow Hill Sage reaches the flowering stage, displaying spikes of white blossoms that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. After pollination, the flowers give way to seed production, completing the reproductive cycle. As temperatures cool and the growing season ends, the plant enters dormancy, with the above-ground portions dying back while the roots survive to regenerate the next spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-early summer
The most popular method of propagating Salvia × sylvestris 'Schneehügel', commonly known as Woodland Sage or Snow Hill Sage, is by division. The best time to divide the plant is either in the early spring or early fall when the plant is not in active bloom. To propagate by division, carefully dig up an established clump of the Snow Hill Sage, ensuring to keep a good amount of roots intact. Use a sharp, clean knife or spade to divide the clump into smaller sections, each with a portion of the root system and several shoots. Replant the divisions immediately at the same depth they were originally growing, spacing them about 12 to 18 inches (approximately 30 to 45 centimeters) apart to allow for adequate air circulation and growth. Water the new plants thoroughly to help establish them, and maintain consistent moisture until they show signs of new growth. This method of division helps to rejuvenate older plants while also providing new plants to expand the garden or share with fellow gardeners.
