Salvia nutans, commonly known as nodding sage, is a perennial herb native to meadows, steppes, and rocky slopes in Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and parts of Western Asia, including Siberia. It typically grows up to 24 inches (61 centimeters) tall and is characterized by its arching inflorescences with nodding, tubular, blue to violet flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer. The flowers are highly attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies, adding ecological value to its native regions.

Nodding sage is valued for its ornamental appeal, particularly the distinctive nodding flower spikes that sway gracefully in the breeze. It is well-suited for rock gardens, borders, and wildflower meadows, where its low maintenance and drought tolerance are advantageous. In cultivation, it thrives in full sun to part shade and requires dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. While not invasive, it can naturalize in suitable conditions outside its native range. Gardeners should be aware that, although it is generally pest-free, it can be susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0