Botanical Name: Salvia nemorosa ‘Lyrical™ White’ Common Name: Lyrical White Salvia Hardiness Zone: Perennial in USDA Zones 4–9 Size: 18–24" Tall × 18–24" Spread Growth Habit: Compact, Upright, Dense, Well-Branched Habit Sunlight: Full Sun Soil: Well-Drained Soil; Tolerates Poorer Soils Once Established Water Needs: Low to Moderate; Drought Tolerant Once Established Bloom Season: Late Spring to Early Summer, with Repeat Bloom Fertilizer: Minimal; Avoid Excess Fertility Features: Clean White Flower Spikes, Aromatic Foliage, Excellent Cold Hardiness, Pollinator Friendly Uses: Borders, Cottage Gardens, Mass Plantings, Containers, Pollinator Gardens Patent: ✔ Patented Propagation: ❌ Propagation Prohibited Without License

See our Salvia Plant Guide for more in depth care details on Salvia.

More About Salvia ‘Lyrical™ White’

Salvia ‘Lyrical™ White’ offers crisp, pure white flower spikes that bring brightness and refinement to sunny garden spaces. Blooming heavily in late spring and early summer, this variety provides a clean contrast to bold-colored perennials while maintaining a tidy, well-mannered habit throughout the season. Part of the Lyrical™ series, this salvia was bred for uniform growth, cold hardiness, and dependable rebloom. After its initial flush, light shearing encourages a strong repeat bloom, extending its seasonal interest and keeping plantings fresh and polished.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, ‘Lyrical™ White’ has proven to be an exceptionally reliable perennial salvia, especially in mixed borders and mass plantings. It maintains excellent structure without flopping, even after heavy rainfall, and holds its compact form with little intervention. We also appreciate its versatility. The neutral white blooms pair effortlessly with blues, purples, pinks, and ornamental grasses, making it an easy design companion while still attracting bees and beneficial pollinators consistently.

Lyrical™ White vs. Other Salvia Varieties

Salvia ‘Lyrical™ White’ is best known for crisp, clean white flower spikes and a true perennial return in colder climates, which immediately separates it from tender options like Wendy’s Wish Salvia, and Black & Blue. Compared to shrubbier Salvias like Hot Lips, it offers a more refined, predictable habit and the advantage of true perennial return. 

Pollinator activity is steady and reliable, with strong bee visitation throughout the bloom period, though it is less hummingbird-driven than more tubular, high-energy Salvias like Hummingbird Falls. In mixed beds and borders, Lyrical™ White pairs especially well with compact, richly colored options such as Mirage™ Blue or Purple & Bloom, where its clean white spikes help balance heavier color and keep plantings from feeling oversaturated. For gardeners seeking a Salvia that comes back each year, stays tidy, and still delivers strong seasonal bloom, Lyrical™ White remains one of the most dependable landscape-perennial choices.