Getting it to bloom

Why won't my Clasping Sage bloom? (and how to make it flower)

Also called Clasping Sage, Stem-Clasping Violet Sage, Macedonian Clary (Salvia amplexicaulis).

More about clasping sage

About Clasping Sage

Salvia amplexicaulis · also called Clasping Sage, Stem-Clasping Violet Sage · flowering

Clasping sage is a hardy deciduous perennial native to southeastern Europe (including Greece and the Balkans), producing erect branching spikes of deep violet-blue whorled flowers nestled within prominent reddish-purple bracts throughout summer. It grows in full sun to light partial shade in moist but well-drained moderately fertile soil. The most important care fact is to deadhead spent flower spikes regularly to extend the long summer flowering season. Salvia is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA.

Plant type: flowering

Watch for — Aphids: May cluster on young shoots and flower buds in spring; blast off with a strong jet of water or apply insecticidal soap.

The reasons clasping sage isn't blooming

Almost every non-blooming clasping sage traces back to one of these, roughly in order of how common they are:

Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
Too much nitrogen feed, driving lush foliage at the expense of flowers (very common with general or lawn feeds).
The plant has not been deadheaded, so it stops flowering once it sets seed.
Irregular watering — drought or waterlogging at the budding stage makes buds abort.
It is still too young or was checked by a transplant and is rebuilding before flowering.

Feeding clasping sage a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.

The fix — how to get clasping sage to flower

Maximise sun. Give clasping sage the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers.
Switch the feed. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
Deadhead regularly. Remove spent flowers often to keep it producing more rather than stopping to set seed.
Water consistently. Keep moisture even through budding and flowering — drought-then-flood swings make buds drop.

Light and feeding do most of the heavy lifting here. Dial in the spot with the light guide for clasping sage and get the feeding right with the clasping sage fertilising schedule — the wrong feed (too much nitrogen) is one of the most common silent reasons a healthy plant makes leaves instead of flowers.

Bloom season and what to expect

Clasping Sage flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.

Post-bloom care so it flowers again

Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.

For everything else this plant needs day to day, see the full clasping sage care brief and its watering schedule — a stressed, badly watered plant rarely has the energy to flower at all.

Clasping Sage blooming — frequently asked questions

Why won't my clasping sage flower?

Clasping Sage blooms on the season's growth given enough sun, warmth and the right feed — there is no cold or photoperiod trick, just good growing conditions and a bloom-leaning feed. The most common reason it is not happening: Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.

How do I make clasping sage bloom?

Give clasping sage the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.

When does clasping sage normally bloom?