Salvia Gallery
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Salvia atrocyanea
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From Bolivia, this Salvia can rapidly reach 6ft x 6ft. Flowering from mid-summer until frost, this striking plant is a
useful addition to a large border. It is also completely hardy in the South of the UK. It is cut back by frost, but will
re-sprout in spring. The large deep blue flowers are densely packed along the stems, which causes them to droop in an
attractive manner. Propagation is by seed or cuttings. Regular watering is necessary in dry spells. It succeeds in full
sun or partial shade.
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Salvia carduacea
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An attractive annual species, native to Southern California. Unlike some of
the perennial Californian species, this is an easy plant to get into flower in the UK.
Seed can be sown indoors in March and flowering will commence in June for a
six-week period, when the plants can be placed outdoors, though heavy rain
can damage the plants. Growing to a height of up to 18in, they make
excellent container plants. Full sun and a well-drained gritty soil are
essential for this Salvia to perform well. Seed can be collected after
flowering ceases, though care must be taken as the seed heads are covered in
small, sharp spines, hence its common name of Thistle Sage.
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Salvia corrugata
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Discovered in 1988 in South America, this aromatic shrub will grow to about 4 ft. The deeply textured foliage complements
the tight whorls of gorgeous violet-blue flowers which are on display in late summer, sometimes earlier. Full sun and
regular watering are required for S. corrugata to thrive. This Salvia looks splendid in a container as it is not easy to
match with other plants. It will only survive a light freeze so it is best over-wintered under glass. It sometimes sets a
few seeds here, but large plants can be grown from cuttings taken in summer.
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Salvia dombeyi
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A tender perennial native to Bolivia and Peru, growing up to 6ft. in the UK,
though it has been known to reach 20ft. in its natural habitat. Lax in
habit, it needs support from other shrubs to prevent the flowering stems
from collapsing due to the weight of the large flowers. The beautiful
flowers are the largest of the Salvia genus, up to 5 inches in length.
Flowering time is from August until the first frost. S. dombeyi does not
seem to like prolonged periods of sunshine, and grows best in a partially
shady spot. Propagation is from cuttings taken in summer. These must be
over-wintered in a frost-free greenhouse. Indoors this Salvia is susceptible
to red-spider mite.
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Salvia greggii "Robin Middleton"
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A chance seedling from my garden, this is similar to S. greggii 'Stormy Pink', but slightly paler in colour. It is also
more compact than 'Stormy Pink', with smaller leaves, and the dark calyx contrasts well with the pale pink flowers.
Flowering from May until October, this is hardy to around -6 degrees. It does set seed but propagation should be from
cuttings as the seed will probably not come true, as all the S. greggii and microphylla cultivars hybridise freely.
Best in full sun, prune lightly in spring.
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Salvia splendens "Peach"
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This is a pink form of the Brazilian Salvia splendens, from which the popular dwarf strains such as 'Sizzler', 'Blaze of Fire',
etc., originated. The true S. splendens is bright red, but it is a variable species, as can be seen here. This form will
reach 4ft x 3ft from seed sown in late winter, and will flower from summer until October. It will not survive any frost,
and though perennial, it is best grown as an annual. Seeds do not always come true. Although cuttings will easily root, it is difficult
to keep them alive in a cold, dark greenhouse in winter.
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Salvia striata
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Not much is known about this recent introduction collected in 2002 in the Peruvian Andes at an altitude of 3-4000 metres.
It is a small, woody, rather sprawling shrub, with unusual pale pink flowers with a hint of yellow. Last year my plant grew
to 18in x 4ft, and in spite of the high elevation of its habitat, it was killed by frost. Cuttings were fine in the
greenhouse in winter, and flowers were produced sporadically, throughout the year. There are never many flowers at any
one time but they are quite beautiful. This Salvia has not set seed here.
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Salvia cacaliaefolia
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Native to Southern Mexico and Central America, this Salvia is gaining popularity here, with good reason. It will flower from
June until frost. Masses of pure blue flowers on freely branched stems which sprawl are a contrast to the bright green,
triangular-shaped leaves. An ideal candidate for a large container or hanging basket, its beauty may be enhanced by mixing
it with small, white Petunias. Grow in sun or part-shade. Not reliably hardy here, it occasionally sets seed, but is easy
to propagate from cuttings.
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Salvia clevelandii
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Native to the San Diego region of California, this is a difficult plant to grow in our climate, due to too much rain and
insufficient sunshine. The foliage is highly aromatic, and the flowers can be various shades of blue or violet. It needs
to be kept very dry if it is going to flower. Good specimens were seen at the Eden project and were flowering well.
Grow from seed in a gritty compost. It is worth persevering with in the unlikely event of a warm, sunny spring. Even
without flowers, it is an attractive foliage plant. (Photo by Michael Charters of calflora.)
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Salvia canescens var. daghestanica
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This pretty Salvia from the Caucasus Mountains near the Black Sea is ideal for a rock garden. Growing to only 1ft,
the purple flowers make a good contrast to the basal, silvery-green foliage. Flowering for most of the summer, this
must have good drainage and full sun. It is reportedly hardy to -10 degrees, but it is unlikely to survive outside in
a British winter as it is too wet. Easily grown from seed, it can be treated as an annual, but potted-up plants kept
in the greenhouse during winter will provide a larger plant the following year, if kept dry.
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Salvia guaranitica 'Argentine Skies'
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From a large area in South America, this pale blue cultivar of S. guaranitica was introduced in 1990. It will grow to 4-5ft
tall and is of upright growth. Reliably hardy, it should be cut down when frosted, and it will resprout in May. It is in
flower from mid-summer onwards, and seems happy in either full sun or partial shade. It spreads by underground tubers,
which incidentally can find their way very deep into the soil, making it a difficult Salvia to remove, should you want to.
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Salvia dentata
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An attractive species from the Cape Town area of South Africa, this small shrub is often confused with a similar South
African native, Salvia muirii. I received seed as S. muirii, but 2 experts have told me that it is
S. dentata. Very aromatic, the pale violet/blue flowers are produced
throughout summer on branched stems. Full sun and good drainage are required. Unlikely to survive outside in winter,
it can be propagated by seed or cuttings.
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