Salvia ringens is a hardy herbaceous perennial native to the southern and eastern parts of the Balkan Peninsula.

With many colonies growing on Mount Olympus, the traditional "home of the gods," at altitudes up to 6,200 feet (1,900 m).

[1] Salvia ringens forms a basal clump of pinnately divided leaves, typically less than 1 foot in height and width.

The leaves are dark green with a grayish cast, with petioles and stems that stand out with a wine color.

The 1.5 inch violet-blue flowers are very showy and large, held in a small calyx covered with hair and glands.