salvia

noun sal·via \ ˈsal-vē-ə \

|Updated on: 23 Jul 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

Summer annuals to consider for a holiday planter: Victoria blue or white salvia (S. farinacea).

— jo ellen meyers sharp, Indianapolis Star, "The Hoosier Gardener: Plant your red, white and blue," 3 July 2018
Collect seeds of hollyhocks, salvias, California poppies and other flowers to sow at the best time. 51.

— tom maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "June in the garden," 26 May 2018
Then in the spring, feed your salvias with a light application of fertilizer with the emergence of growth and continue feeding every six to eight weeks through September.

— norman winter, Houston Chronicle, "Golden Delicious pineapple sage," 25 May 2018
The summer blue salvias are favorite nectar sources for hummingbirds and butterflies and are very drought tolerant.

— calvin finch, San Antonio Express-News, "For your garden: 6 woody perennials that love the heat," 18 May 2018
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

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.