Product Description
Salvia 'Midnight Model' PP29498 (25) Bare Root Plants
FASHIONISTA® Collection
Common Name: Perennial Salvia, Garden Sage
The word fashionista is often used to describe someone who is constantly on the cutting edge of beauty, representing current fashion trends. Likewise, this collection of Perennial Salvia from Walters Gardens hybridizing represents the cutting edge of perennial fashion, with big, bold blooms in an array of chic and stylish colors. All of the varieties in this collection are Salvia pratensis hybrids, so you know you can expect excellent garden performance.
'Midnight Model' has striking violet blue flowers are produced in a round, dense clump. An improvement over other blue Salvia on the market.
Salvia is a staple item for every sunny garden. It asks little more than sunshine and a little drink every once in a while in return for producing a bountiful mass of colorful flower spires from late spring into early summer. It forms a uniform, rounded clump of aromatic, rugose green foliage that looks nice all season long and is not enjoyed by rabbits or deer.
Salvia is easy to grow in almost any climate. Though it is drought tolerant, it will bloom better with regular watering. Deadheading encourages a longer bloom time. If plants get leggy during the season, cut them all the way back to the newly developed foliage. If cut back, plants may rebloom in fall but often the flowers are fewer and smaller.
Height: 22 to 24 Inches; Spread: 20 to 22 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 3-8
Flower Color: Purple-blue shades; Foliage Color: Green shades
Full Sun
Low to Average Water Needs
Average to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Late Spring - Early Summer
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees
Deer and Rabbit Resistant
Border Plant, Cut Flower, Dried Flower, Easy To Grow, Edging, Fragrant Flowers, Fragrant Foliage, Mass Planting
Salvia 'Midnight Model' is a stunning perennial, part of the FASHIONISTA® Collection, with vibrant violet-blue flower spikes that rise above a dense mound of lush foliage. This captivating hybrid, developed by Walters Gardens, is an excellent choice for gardeners of all skill levels, offering both beauty and ease of care. This article will explore the key characteristics of Salvia 'Midnight Model', including its appearance, growing requirements, and potential uses in landscaping and gardening.
Appearance Salvia 'Midnight Model' is an improvement over other blue Salvia varieties, boasting a compact and well-rounded form with an upright growth habit. It typically reaches a height of 18-24 inches with a similar spread. The flowers are a striking violet-blue, appearing in dense clusters on strong stems. Distinctive deep purple flower buds add to the visual appeal before they open into the vibrant blooms. The foliage is a deep green and has a slightly rough texture. The fragrant flowers and foliage add to the sensory appeal of this plant. Unlike some other Salvia varieties, 'Midnight Model' maintains its shape and does not flop over, making it a reliable and attractive addition to the garden.
Hardiness Zone |
3-8 |
Sun Exposure |
Full sun (at least 6 hours daily) |
Soil Type |
Normal, sandy, clay |
Water Needs |
Medium; drought-tolerant once established |
Salt Tolerance |
Yes |
Rabbit Resistance |
Yes |
Planting Location This Salvia performs best in a location that receives full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. It can tolerate some shade, but excessive shade may cause the plant to become leggy and flop over. Avoid planting in areas that tend to retain water, especially during the winter months, as this can harm the roots.
Care Instructions Salvia 'Midnight Model' is a low-maintenance plant. Water regularly during the first growing season to help establish a strong root system. Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant and only needs occasional watering. Deadheading spent flowers can encourage more blooms and maintain a tidy appearance. To promote bushier growth, cut the plant back to the basal foliage after the first flowering. If cut back, the plants may rebloom in the fall, although the second flush of flowers may be smaller than the first. Fertilize with a general garden fertilizer in the spring.
Potential Uses in Landscaping and Gardening Salvia 'Midnight Model' is a versatile plant with a variety of uses in landscaping and gardening. It is an excellent choice for:
- Mass Planting: Planting 'Midnight Model' in groups creates a dramatic display of color, transforming a garden bed into a sea of vibrant blue.
- Border Edging: Its compact size makes it ideal for edging borders and pathways, adding a neat and colorful outline to garden spaces.
- General Garden Use: It can be incorporated into various garden styles, including cottage gardens and mixed borders. Imagine it nestled among other flowering perennials, such as Echinacea or Coreopsis, or adding a touch of blue to a rock garden.
- Container Planting: It thrives in containers, adding vertical interest to patios and balconies. Choose a pot with good drainage that is at least 8 to 10 inches in diameter.
- Pollinator Gardens: The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it a valuable addition to gardens designed to support pollinators.
- Cut Flower Arrangements: The vibrant blue flower spikes make excellent cut flowers, bringing the beauty of the garden indoors.
- Dried Flower Arrangements: The flowers can also be dried and used in arrangements, extending their beauty beyond the blooming season.
Salvia 'Midnight Model' is a beautiful and low-maintenance perennial that deserves a place in every garden. Its vibrant violet-blue flowers, compact habit, long blooming period, and adaptability make it a versatile choice for a variety of landscaping and gardening applications. Whether used as a border plant, in mass plantings, or as a container specimen, Salvia 'Midnight Model' is sure to impress with its beauty and resilience. Consider adding this remarkable plant to your garden and enjoy its captivating presence throughout the growing season.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!