Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Bumblesnow Salvia: Little White Candles in a Purple Bed
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Bumblesnow salvia is the smallest of its series, a petite, upright clump just 10 to 12 inches tall. In early summer it carries tight spikes of pure white florets in pale green calyxes, and at peak it looks like a little mound of white candles over dark green leaves.
Purple and white is one of the oldest garden combinations, and it works beautifully with lavender. Bumblesnow likes the same sun and lean soil, and its white spikes repeat lavender's shape while making the purple look deeper.
Bumblesnow at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Salvia nemorosa 'Bumblesnow' |
| Flowers | Pure white, spikes 3 to 5 inches long |
| Foliage | Deep green, crinkled, aromatic |
| Size | 10 to 12 inches tall, 12 to 14 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early June, peaks mid-June, with a second flush after trimming |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 8 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Wildlife | Excellent for pollinators; deer resistant |
Designing with white
White flowers act like punctuation in a planting. A few Bumblesnow plants placed at regular intervals along the front of a lavender row create rhythm; a solid line makes a crisp border. Because it is so compact, it will not compete with even the smallest lavenders, and it leaves the lavender's crown open to air and sun.
White also shows up at dusk long after purple fades into shadow. If you sit out in the garden in the evening, a lavender bed edged in Bumblesnow keeps its shape in the low light. For a fuller white-and-purple scheme, pair it with a white-flowered lavender in the back row. Try layouts in the Companion Plant Planner.
On the patio
Bumblesnow's petite size makes it one of the easiest salvias for containers. A sunny pot with one lavender and three Bumblesnow around it is a simple, low-water planter. Use a well-drained mix and let it dry slightly between waterings.
Planting and care
- Sun: full, hot sun.
- Soil: average and well drained. Drought tolerant once established.
- Trimming: shear back by about a third after the first flush fades for a second round.
- Airflow: space plants so leaves dry quickly; crowded plantings can get powdery mildew.
- Winter: reliably hardy in Michigan where the soil drains. Clean up old stems in spring as new leaves appear.
Ordering format
Bumblesnow is offered as a 72-cell plug tray. See the product page for current availability, or the Wholesale Hub for tray orders.
Frequently asked questions
Do white flowers brown quickly?
Spent spikes do fade, which is why trimming after the first flush helps. Fresh white spikes follow.
Can I mix it with the other colors in the series?
Yes. The series shares a compact size, so white, blue and pink plants can be mixed along an edge. Bumblesnow is the shortest, so place it toward the very front.
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