Salvia x sylvestris ‘Rose Queen’ (sage) £4.99
Position: full sun Soil: light, moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well- drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July to September Flower colour: rose pink Other features: attractive to butterflies and bees Hardiness: fully hardy Stiffly upright spikes are densely packed with deep pink buds, which open to rose pink flowers from midsummer. A valuable addition to the herbaceous border or gravel garden, where its long flowering period will provide an abundance of colour, while its erect habit will create vertical interest. Garden care: To prolong flowering remove the flower spikes as soon they start to fade. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant in spring.

Salvia nemorosa ‘Ostfriesland’ (Balkan clary) £4.99
Position: full sun Soil: light, moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well- drained soil Rate of growth: average Flowering period: July to September Flower colour: intense violet-blue Other features: attractive to butterflies and bees Hardiness: fully hardy Slender spires of intense violet-blue flowers from July to September above clumps of wrinkled, mid-green leaves. This compact form of salvia is perfect for adding a splash of colour at the front of a well- drained herbaceous border or gravel garden. Coping well in sun or light dappled shade, the violet-blue blooms are a magnet for butterflies and bees. Garden care: To prolong flowering remove the flower spikes as soon they start to fade. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant in spring.