Salvia ‘Peach Melba'(RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year Contender 2025)
£7.95
An upright, shrubby perennial with aromatic, mid-green leaves. Spikes of salmon-peach bicoloured flowers with a bright-pink tip from mid-summer to early autumn. Height 45cm. Spread 60cm. Full sun/partial shade. Hardy. Attracts bees.
Description
Salvia ‘Peach Melba’ is a beautiful, upright perennial known for its aromatic foliage and striking salmon-peach flowers with bright pink tips. This hardy and easy-to-grow plant is perfect for borders, containers, and pollinator-friendly gardens. Follow this detailed guide to ensure your Salvia ‘Peach Melba’ thrives and provides long-lasting color throughout the season.
PLANTING and AFTERCARE GUIDE
Best Planting Time
- Spring: The best time to plant Salvia ‘Peach Melba’ is in the spring when the soil begins to warm. Planting at this time allows the roots to establish before the active growing season, leading to stronger plants and abundant blooms.
- Autumn: Alternatively, Salvia can be planted in early autumn. This gives the plant time to settle before dormancy, ensuring healthy regrowth in the following spring.
Site Selection
- Sunlight: Salvia ‘Peach Melba’ flourishes in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. For the best flowering display, choose a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Soil: Well-draining soil is essential for Salvia. Avoid planting in heavy, waterlogged soil, as excessive moisture can cause root rot. If needed, improve drainage by adding organic matter or grit to the planting area.
Planting Instructions
- Prepare the Hole: Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and the same depth to give the roots space to spread.
- Soil Preparation: Mix compost or organic matter into the soil to enhance fertility and improve drainage. Salvia ‘Peach Melba’ thrives in nutrient-rich soil that promotes vigorous growth.
- Planting: Place Salvia ‘Peach Melba’ in the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Backfill the hole, gently firming the soil around the plant.
- Watering After Planting: Water thoroughly after planting to help the roots establish. Ensure the soil drains well to prevent waterlogging.
Watering Requirements
- Growing Season: Once established, Salvia is drought-tolerant, but it benefits from regular watering during dry spells. Water deeply and allow the soil to dry slightly between watering sessions.
- Dormant Season: Reduce watering significantly in late autumn and winter, only watering if the soil becomes extremely dry. Overwatering during dormancy can lead to root problems.
Feeding
- Spring: Apply a balanced fertiliser in early spring to encourage strong growth and vibrant blooms. A general-purpose plant feed works well for Salvia.
- Mid-Summer: A second light feed in mid-summer can help prolong flowering and support healthy foliage. Avoid excessive fertilisation, as this can lead to leggy growth.
Pruning
- Deadheading: Regularly remove spent flowers from Salvia ‘Peach Melba’ to encourage continuous blooming. Deadheading also keeps the plant looking neat and tidy.
- Autumn Pruning: After the final flush of flowers in autumn, trim back Salvia ‘Peach Melba’ to maintain a compact shape and encourage strong growth for the following year.
Mulching
- Spring: Apply a layer of mulch around the base of Salvia ‘Peach Melba’ in spring to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Use organic mulch such as compost or bark chips.
- Winter: In colder months, an extra layer of mulch around the plant’s base provides insulation and protects the roots from frost damage.
Supporting the Plant
- Staking: Salvia ‘Peach Melba’ generally has strong stems but may benefit from staking in exposed areas or if heavy rain and wind are expected. Providing support helps keep the plant upright and prevents breakage.
Final Tips
Salvia ‘Peach Melba’ is a fantastic choice for gardeners looking to add long-lasting colour and attract pollinators such as bees. By planting it in full sun with well-drained soil and following this care routine, your Salvia ‘Peach Melba’ will reward you with an abundance of stunning blooms from mid-summer to early autumn.
Additional information
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marion aspell (verified owner) –
great quality. Good packaging
Patricia Cavanagh (verified owner) –
Plant arrived safe. & sound, well packaged undamaged, in the ground now just waiting. Would recommend the nursery.
Susanne (verified owner) –
Strong Healthy plants so would definitely recommend this nursery.
Yvonne Fickling (verified owner) –
My 5 salvia plants arrived very quickly and well packaged. Thank you Proctors Nursery.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Karen R. (verified owner) –
Excellent, quick service and lovely plants. I will order again from you.
Sarah Murphy (verified owner) –
Arrived as stated in email extremely well packed and looks like a very healthy plant. Didn’t put plant in my garden until 2days after arrival and it’s taken very well. Ordering was so easy and was kept informed every step of the way looking forward to seeing it flower, would certainly order from Proctor nursery again.
Mr D Radford (verified owner) –
Very impressed with the quality of the plants, rapid despatch and quick delivery.
Michael Oconnell (verified owner) –
Arrived in first class condition
Kay C. (verified owner) –
Packed really well on arrival, a few plant leaves looked ropy but snipped these off and pruned off old woody stems. There is quite a lot of new green growth.
Put in cold frame and I’m sure it will pick up and flourish once planted in the ground.
Louise M. (verified owner) –
Lovely healthy plants.
Susan Rees (verified owner) –
Annabel Moseley (verified owner) –
Plants arrived beautifully packed. Healthy good sized plants. Efficient service. Will definitely use again.
Claire J. (verified owner) –
Delighted with quality of plants. The care taken in packaging enabled them to be received in good condition. Delivery was so quick. Highly recommend this nursery 👍
darall Smith (verified owner) –
quick delivery arrived in excellent condition highly recommended
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Donna Williams (verified owner) –
Good sized healthy plants
Alex S. (verified owner) –
Great price and speedy delivery
Debbie (verified owner) –
Arrived beautifully package and they look lovely healthy plants. Roll on Summer!
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Plants very healthy and packed with great care. Thank you
Judith Powers (verified owner) –
Nice healthy, bushy plants, well packaged and quick delivery.
Louise H. (verified owner) –
Nice root ball, can’t wait to plant out and see it grow
Karen H. (verified owner) –
Plants arrived very health and well packed. Looking forward to seeing them in flower.
Marian Loades (verified owner) –
Excellent service. Thank you
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Plant arrived promptly and in excellent condition. The packaging kept it safe, no damage. Definitely recommend
Claire Ward (verified owner) –
Very happy with the plants I bought
Zoe (verified owner) –
Good strong plant with a healthy root system I look forward to seeing it grow on to fill a gap and flowering later this summer.