Heirloom

Pink Sundae

Salvia viridis

Photo: Richard Hoare · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Easy-to-grow plants for casual cut flowers, pollinator plantings, and displays of color in the garden. Productive, densely branched plants produce abundant stems and multiple cuts of this versatile crop. Suitable for fresh or dried flowers. Colored bracts of vibrant rose-pink decorate the tops of 30-40" branches. Tolerant of frost. Also commonly known as annual clary sage.

Harvest

80-95d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

5–10

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

1-3 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Pink Sundae in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Pink Sundae · Zones 5–10

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-drained loam, tolerates average soil

WaterRegular during establishment, moderate once established

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorRose-pink

Size30-40"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—

Succession Planting

Pink Sundae blooms over a long season and keeps producing bracts without needing to be resown — but plants do exhaust themselves by late summer, especially under sustained heat. In zone 7, direct sow every 3 to 4 weeks from April through early June to keep fresh, vigorous plants coming in as earlier sowings fade. Stop succession sowing once daytime highs are reliably above 90°F; seeds sown in peak summer heat germinate poorly, and plants started that late rarely size up before frost.

If you're starting indoors, sow in February or March — 8 to 10 weeks before your last frost date — and transplant out in April once nights stay above 45°F. Don't bother with a third indoor round: by the time those transplants harden off and settle in, direct-sown plants will have caught up anyway.

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky. Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Division, Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Pink Sundae reaches harvest at 80 - 95 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 30-40" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

The schizocarp breaks apart into four nutlets. They are held in the calyx until released by wind or taken by birds. Some species, including chia, produce edible nutlets.

Type: Nut, Schizocarp. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Garden value: Edible

Edibility: Leaves can be used fresh or dried for seasonings and teas, and the flowers are edible.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh cut stems last 7-10 days in water if kept cool and out of direct sun. Change water every 2-3 days and recut stems at an angle to maximize water uptake. Remove lower leaves to prevent bacterial growth.

For drying, which is Pink Sundae's strongest preservation method, hang bundles of 5-8 stems in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space at 65-75°F with low humidity. Drying takes 2-3 weeks; stems are ready when bracts feel papery and stems snap rather than bend. Dried arrangements remain vibrant and long-lasting for 1-2 years in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight. Store dried bundles in boxes with tissue paper between layers to prevent crushing. No special conditioning is needed for dried preservation—this variety is naturally suited to long-term storage without deterioration.

History & Origin

Pink Sundae is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Worldwide

Advantages

+Vibrant rose-pink bracts provide striking visual impact in garden displays
+Produces abundant stems enabling multiple cuts per season for arrangements
+Tolerates frost, extending growing season into cooler months
+Densely branched plants ideal for both fresh and dried flower uses
+Easy to grow variety suitable for beginner gardeners

Considerations

-Requires 80-95 days to maturity, limiting mid-season plantings
-Tall 30-40 inch stems may require staking in windy locations
-Prefers well-draining soil and may struggle in poorly drained conditions

Companion Plants

Marigolds and Sweet Alyssum are the most practical neighbors for Pink Sundae. French marigolds (varieties like 'Petite Harmony') deter aphids and whiteflies through root secretions and scent — cutting down on the exact pests that show up on Salvia viridis during dry stretches. Sweet Alyssum draws in parasitic wasps and hoverflies, both of which prey on the small soft-bodied insects that occasionally colonize salvia bracts. Cosmos and Zinnias work well spatially too; they share similar sun and water needs and don't compete hard for root space at 12–18 inch spacing.

Fennel is the one to plant elsewhere. It releases allelopathic compounds from its roots and foliage that suppress growth in a wide range of annuals, and Pink Sundae's shallow, fibrous root system puts it squarely in the damage zone. Black Walnut operates on a larger scale through juglone — a root toxin that binds to soil particles and can linger for years after the tree is removed — so if you're planting in the ground anywhere near one, expect poor establishment regardless of how well you prep the bed.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes while attracting beneficial insects

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial predatory insects and provides ground cover

Lavender

Repels pests with fragrance and attracts pollinators

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles

Petunias

Repel aphids, tomato hornworms, and other garden pests

Catnip

Deters mosquitoes, ants, and aphids with strong scent

Zinnia

Attracts beneficial insects and pollinators while deterring cucumber beetles

Cosmos

Attracts beneficial predatory insects and provides habitat for pest predators

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill sensitive plants

Eucalyptus

Allelopathic compounds suppress growth of nearby plants

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathic effects

Pests & Disease Resistance

Common Pests

Rarely problematic; spider mites and whiteflies only in hot, dry conditions

Diseases

Powdery mildew if air circulation is poor

Troubleshooting Pink Sundae

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

White powdery coating on leaves and stems, usually appearing mid-summer when plants are crowded

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe spp.) — thrives when humidity is high and airflow between plants is restricted
Spacing tighter than 12 inches, which traps moisture around foliage

What to Do

1.Cut out heavily affected stems and bin them — don't compost
2.Thin or transplant neighboring plants so each Pink Sundae has at least 12 inches of breathing room
3.Spray remaining foliage with a diluted baking soda solution (1 tablespoon per gallon of water) every 7 days until new growth comes in clean

Stippled, silvery leaves with fine webbing on the undersides during hot, dry spells

Likely Causes

Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) — populations explode when temperatures stay above 85°F and humidity is low
Dusty conditions on foliage, which speed up mite reproduction

What to Do

1.Blast the undersides of leaves with a strong stream of water every 2-3 days — it knocks mites off and they rarely climb back
2.If the infestation is heavy, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil in the evening so it doesn't burn foliage in full sun
3.Water more consistently at the base of the plant; drought stress makes the problem worse

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Pink Sundae take to grow from seed to first harvest?▼

Pink Sundae reaches harvestable stage in 80-95 days from sowing. When started indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost and transplanted after danger of frost passes, you'll typically harvest first stems 4-6 weeks after transplanting. For faster results, direct sow seeds 2 weeks after your last frost for harvests beginning in mid-to-late summer.

Can you grow Pink Sundae in containers?▼

Yes, Pink Sundae grows well in containers 12+ inches deep. Use quality potting mix, ensure drainage holes, and space 1 plant per 5-gallon container. Container plants may need staking in windy locations and may require twice-weekly watering during hot weather. Container growing works exceptionally well for patio displays and allows you to move plants to shelter if unexpected hard frosts occur.

Is Pink Sundae good for beginners?▼

Pink Sundae is excellent for beginner gardeners. It's forgiving of minor mistakes, requires no pinching or complex pruning, tolerates partial shade, and resists most common pests and diseases. The main requirement is regular watering during establishment and decent air circulation to prevent powdery mildew. Even first-time growers reliably achieve abundant harvests.

When should I plant Pink Sundae seeds?▼

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. Alternatively, direct sow outdoors 2 weeks after your last frost once soil has warmed to at least 60°F. In mild climates (zones 9-11), you can make successive sowings every 3-4 weeks through late summer for continuous harvests. The frost tolerance means late fall plantings can still produce significant flowers before winter.

How many times can you harvest Pink Sundae stems?▼

Pink Sundae is a cut-and-come-again crop. Each plant produces 8-15+ harvestable stems over the season depending on growing conditions and harvest frequency. Regular cutting (every 7-10 days once harvests begin) encourages aggressive branching and extends productivity through frost. Plants typically remain productive for 10-12 weeks if harvested consistently.

What's the difference between Pink Sundae and other clary sage varieties?▼

Pink Sundae is specifically selected for vibrant rose-pink bracts and exceptional stem production, making it superior for cut-flower and dried-flower use. Other clary sage varieties may offer white, blue, or bicolor bracts but with less consistent color or fewer harvestable stems. Pink Sundae combines consistent appearance with commercial-grade productivity in an easy-care package.