Overwintering guide
How to overwinter salvia verticillata 'purple rain'
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills salvia verticillata 'purple rain' in winter
Cutting salvia verticillata 'purple rain' hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More salvia verticillata 'purple rain' care
- Overwintering lilac sage — the species this cultivar belongs to
- Full salvia verticillata 'purple rain' care guide
- Salvia verticillata 'Purple Rain' temperature range
- How often to water salvia verticillata 'purple rain'
- How to prune salvia verticillata 'purple rain'
- Common salvia verticillata 'purple rain' problems & fixes
- Best plant identifier apps — tested and ranked
Overwintering salvia verticillata 'purple rain' — FAQ
Does salvia verticillata 'purple rain' need to come indoors for winter?
Salvia verticillata 'Purple Rain' is hardy to roughly USDA zone 5 — winter lows around -29°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Salvia verticillata 'Purple Rain' is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move salvia verticillata 'purple rain' for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water salvia verticillata 'purple rain' in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills salvia verticillata 'purple rain' over winter?
Cutting salvia verticillata 'purple rain' hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.