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Supporting pollinators in your garden has never been easier — or more beautiful. With salvias, you can enjoy long-lasting blooms while attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. At Middleton Nurseries, we stock a wide range of pollinator-friendly salvias suitable for UK gardens. Here’s everything you need to know about choosing, planting, and caring for them.
Salvias are nectar-rich plants that provide an abundant food source for pollinators. Their tubular flowers are ideal for bees and butterflies, while their long flowering season means your garden stays alive with wildlife from spring to autumn. Many hardy varieties are perfect for UK conditions, thriving in borders, containers, and patio beds. (Middleton Nurseries)
Supporting pollinators in your garden has never been easier — or more beautiful. With salvias, you can enjoy long-lasting blooms while attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. At Middleton Nurseries, we stock a wide range of pollinator-friendly salvias suitable for UK gardens. Here’s everything you need to know about choosing, planting, and caring for them.
Here are some of the top salvia varieties for pollinators currently available:
A bushy perennial with vibrant flowers that attract bees. Ideal for borders or pots.
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Upright white or pale yellow blooms provide nectar for bees and bumblebees. Hardy and low-maintenance.
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Compact annual with bold plum flowers — perfect for containers or mixed beds, attracting pollinators throughout summer.
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Striking silvery foliage with pale blooms that appeal to bumblebees and butterflies. Great for borders or pollinator gardens.
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Compact, long-flowering variety — perfect for pots or garden edges. Attracts pollinators when planted in full sun.
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Hardy, easy to grow, and bright-colored blooms that draw bees and butterflies.
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Long-flowering lilac blooms for pollinator-friendly borders.
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Pink flowers with abundant nectar that attract pollinators all season long.
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1. Location: Choose a sunny, well-drained spot. Salvias flower best in full sun and don’t tolerate waterlogged soil.
2. Soil: Light, sandy or loamy soils are ideal. Adding compost helps retain moisture for newly planted salvias.
3. Containers: Many of the above varieties are container-friendly, perfect for patios or balconies. Use quality compost and ensure drainage holes are clear.
4. Grouping: Plant salvias in groups of three or more to make them more visible to bees and butterflies. This “nectar target” approach encourages more visits.
Establishment Phase: Keep the soil slightly moist until plants settle.
Once Established: Hardy varieties need minimal watering; let the soil dry slightly between waterings.
Feeding: Light feeding with a balanced liquid fertilizer in summer supports blooms and nectar production. (Middleton Nurseries Salvia Care)
Regular pruning and deadheading extend flowering and maintain shape:
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage repeat blooms.
Trim back old stems in early spring to promote healthy new growth.
Avoid cutting in late autumn — some foliage protects roots from frost.
Hardy salvias like S. greggii and S. × sylvestris tolerate most UK winters with mulch protection.
Tender annuals and hybrid varieties should be overwintered indoors or under frost protection in colder areas.
Plant a variety of colors and heights to attract different pollinators.
Avoid pesticides — they deter bees and butterflies.
Continuous bloom — stagger early, mid, and late-season varieties.
Provide water sources nearby, such as a shallow dish or small pond.
Creating a pollinator-friendly garden with salvias is easy, beautiful, and rewarding. Using the varieties currently in stock at Middleton Nurseries, UK gardeners can enjoy vibrant, nectar-rich flowers while supporting essential wildlife. Whether in a border, container, or patio bed, these salvias are a must-have for pollinators in 2026 and beyond.
Browse the full selection of pollinator-friendly salvias and plan your garden today: Middleton Nurseries Salvia Collection
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