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Salvia microphylla ‘Anduus’ is a compact, long-flowering bicolour salvia and a 2021 RHS Chelsea Flower Show Plant of the Year nominee — recognition that reflects what gardeners have known since its introduction in 2020: this is a quietly exceptional variety.
Bred by Jan Debusschere in Belgium, ‘Anduus’ produces soft pink flowers with a contrasting white lip, carried on a naturally bushy plant that reaches around 60cm in height and 50cm in spread. It flowers from late spring right through to the first frosts, making it one of the longest-performing salvias you can grow in a UK garden. The flowers are nectar-rich and reliably attractive to bees and butterflies throughout the season.
Like all Salvia microphylla varieties, ‘Anduus’ is semi-hardy — it will overwinter in sheltered, south-facing gardens in the south and west of the UK with a generous mulch over the crown, but in colder or more exposed gardens it is safer to take cuttings in August and overwinter in a frost-free space.
Position and soil: Full sun is essential for reliable flowering. ‘Anduus’ will tolerate partial shade but produces significantly fewer flowers. Soil should be free-draining — this variety dislikes sitting in wet soil, particularly over winter. In heavier soils, incorporate sharp grit before planting or grow in containers using a peat-free compost with added grit.
Planting: Plant in spring after the last frost to give the plant the longest possible growing season before winter. If you receive your plant later in the season, grow it on in its pot and plant out the following spring.
Feeding: Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring. Through the growing season, feed fortnightly with a high-potash liquid fertiliser — tomato feed works well — to support continued flowering rather than leafy growth.
Cut back in spring once you can see new growth emerging at the base — typically late March to April. Do not cut back in autumn; the old stems provide frost protection to the crown through winter.
Through the season, deadhead regularly every two to three weeks to encourage continuous flowering. In early July, a light overall trim — the Hampton Hack — stimulates a fresh flush of growth and extends the flowering season into autumn.
‘Anduus’ stands out in the microphylla range for the quality of its bicolour — the soft pink and white combination is more refined than many varieties, and the plant’s naturally compact, well-branched habit means it looks good from the moment it starts flowering without needing much intervention. It works equally well in a border or a pot, and the long season means it earns its place in the garden from May to November.
Its RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year nomination in 2021 brought it to a wider audience, but it had already been attracting attention among salvia collectors since its introduction. It remains one of the more underrated varieties in the microphylla group.
Browse Salvia microphylla ‘Anduus’ at Middleton Nurseries
‘Anduus’ is semi-hardy — rated RHS H3–H4. In sheltered, south-facing gardens with free-draining soil it will often overwinter successfully with a generous mulch applied in October. In colder or more exposed gardens, take semi-ripe cuttings in August and overwinter on a frost-free windowsill. See our salvia cuttings guide for step-by-step instructions.
From late spring — typically May — right through to the first frosts. Regular deadheading every two to three weeks extends the season and keeps the plant producing new flowers. In mild autumns it often continues flowering into November.
Around 60cm in height and 50cm in spread in most UK gardens. A light trim in early July keeps the plant compact and bushy and stimulates a final flush of autumn flowers.
Yes — it performs very well in containers. Use a peat-free multipurpose compost with 20% added grit for drainage. Feed fortnightly with high-potash liquid fertiliser from May to September and water regularly but never allow the pot to sit in standing water.
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