Salvia nemorosa 'May Night'
Salvia nemorosa ‘May Night’ is a hardy meadow sage grown for saturated violet‑blue spikes. Its standout trait is very early bloom in late spring with reliable rebloom after deadheading. It performs best in full sun and freely draining soils in cooler summer climates and is widely hardy across the North. Plants form tidy clumps that suit small spaces and formal borders. In hot, humid summers the stems can relax, but a prompt trim restores shape and triggers fresh spikes.
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Meadow or wood sage (often sold as Salvia × sylvestris ‘Mainacht’)
- Height × spread: 18-24 in × 12-18 in (45-60 cm × 30-46 cm)
- Bloom window: late spring with summer rebloom after deadheading
- Color & flower form: deep violet‑blue spikes
- Fragrance: 2 noticeable (foliage)
- USDA hardiness: 4-8
- Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown
- Awards/registration: Perennial Plant of the Year 1997 (PPA)
- Cut‑flower notes: upright stems; good cut when freshly opened
- Pet safety: safe
How it differs
- Much hardier to cold than tender blue salvias.
- Blooms early in the season with fast rebloom if deadheaded.
- Compact, clumping habit fits narrow borders.
Strengths
- Cold hardy and durable in zones 4-8.
- Deer tolerance commonly noted.
- Long display with repeat bloom.
- Performs in average, well‑drained soils.
Care in one minute
- Site: full sun; tolerates light afternoon shade in hot zones.
- Soil: average, well‑drained; neutral to slightly alkaline pH.
- Water: moderate; consistent moisture improves rebloom.
- Feeding: light spring fertilizer only if soils are poor.
- Grooming: deadhead promptly; shear after first flush for compact regrowth.
- Overwintering: leave basal foliage for winter protection; cut back in early spring.
Watch‑outs
- Stems may flop in high heat and humidity; shear to reset.
- Powdery mildew can occur in crowded plantings.
- Declines in poorly drained or waterlogged sites.
Best uses (tags)
borders; cutting; pollinators; small spaces; early season
Provenance note
Widely sold under the trade name ‘May Night’ and frequently listed botanically as Salvia × sylvestris ‘Mainacht’, a hybrid allied to S. nemorosa.
References
- Missouri Botanical Garden – Salvia × sylvestris ‘Mainacht’ MAY NIGHT
- Chicago Botanic Garden – Salvias overview and trials
Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
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