Anthony Parker Sage
Salvia leucantha x elegans 'Anthony Parker'
Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery
Salvia 'Anthony Parker' is a big, late-blooming hybrid sage with a charming South Carolina origin. The plant arose as a chance seedling in the Beaufort garden of the plantswoman Frances Parker, a cross between Salvia leucantha 'Midnight' and the pineapple sage Salvia elegans, and Frances rescued the young seedling from the path of the mower and named it for her grandson Anthony, then a year old, in 1994. From that lucky reprieve came one of the best late-season salvias for the South.
From late September until frost the plant is covered in foot-long terminal spikes of dark, blue-purple flowers held in near-black purple calyces, a rich and saturated color at a season when it is most welcome. The soft grayish-green leaves carry a light fruity, pineapple scent from the elegans parent when brushed, a bonus for a plant sited near a path or a seat.
'Anthony Parker' builds a large, dense, bushy clump, four to five feet tall and as wide or wider, so give the plant room at the back of a border. Hummingbirds work the late spikes heavily as they fuel for migration, along with bees and butterflies, and the aromatic foliage is left alone by deer.
Site the plant in full sun in well-drained soil, at the back of a large border, in a pollinator planting, or as a bold late-season specimen, and pair the dark purple spikes with warm-season grasses, asters, and the golds of fall. In zone 7 and warmer the plant returns from the root; farther north it makes a fast, dramatic annual. Cut the old growth down in late winter.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 7–9
- Sun
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Soil
- Well-drained, Moist
- Mature size
- Height 3–5 Feet · Spread 3–5 Feet
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Seasonality
- Dies back, depends on zone
Foot-long terminal spikes of dark blue-purple flowers in near-black calyces, from late September to frost; a hummingbird magnet.
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
What payment methods can I use?
We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.