salvia

noun sal·via \ ˈsal-vē-ə \

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Definition of salvia

: any of a large and widely distributed genus (Salvia) of herbs and shrubs of the mint family having a 2-lipped open calyx and two anthers; especially : one (S. splendens) with scarlet flowers

Recent Examples of salvia from the Web

Neil, what’s that bush with the salvia-like flowers on it?

— neil sperry, star-telegram, "The vivacious and venerable vitex is a plant you should know (and grow)," 7 June 2018
In the flower garden, direct-seed sunflowers, cosmos, salvia, zinnias, marigolds, celosia and asters.

— debbie arrington, sacbee, "Want summer veggies? Get to work | The Sacramento Bee," 5 May 2018
Good fillers include salvias, verbenas, ornamental peppers, and wax begonias, as well as foliage plants like parsley or licorice plants.

— the editors of organic life, Good Housekeeping, "Everything You Need To Know About Container Gardening," 1 June 2017
That's not to mention the towering Baobab trees and stone forests the conservatory brought in, or the array of beautiful plants — from orange bidens and red celosia to purple salvia and green ipomoea.

— jared gilmour, miamiherald, "This woman was arrested for theft — butterfly theft, Ohio police say | Miami Herald," 27 Apr. 2018
Flowers to start from seed: Cannabis, cosmos, snaps, ageratum, seed dahlias, godetia, aster, celosia, malva, salvia, lupine, Achimenes (tubers), brachyscome (15C), dianthus (5), stock(10L), lockspar (20C).

— jeff lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska gardeners, it’s time to germinate something," 29 Mar. 2018
As global temperatures rise, the flowering periods of salvias and other important nectar plants for hummingbirds are shifting earlier in the season, becoming increasingly out of sync with the birds’ foraging demands.

— National Geographic, "Inside the Black Market Hummingbird Love Charm Trade," 18 Apr. 2018
Seeds to start: Lobelia (20 days to germinate, seeds need light), snapdragons (10 days, seeds need light, cool), carnation (20), verbena (20), pelargonium, salvia and pansies.

— jeff lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, "You can start poppies and raspberry bushes from seed. Here’s how," 15 Mar. 2018
Good companions are annual or perennial blue salvias, blue veronicas, amsonia or Japanese aster (Kalimeris incisa ‘Blue Star’).

— jo ellen meyers sharp, Indianapolis Star, "The Hoosier Gardener: Totally Tangerine avens brightens Indiana gardens," 19 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'salvia.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.