Salvia Gallery
Page 11
Salvia microphylla 'Trenance'
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A good S. microphylla cultivar, this has large lavender-pink flowers from late Spring until frost. Quite vigorous, this
can grow to 4ft. x 4ft. Pruning in Spring will ensure that the plant stays a reasonable size. (None of the microphylla,
greggii, or x. jamensis types should be pruned in Autumn, as this could increase the risk of frost-damage.) Propagation is
the same as for the other microphylla salvias, though seed does seem to come true from this form.
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Salvia melissodora
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Found throughout Mexico, this is also known as the grape-scented sage, with good reason. It was also known as S. tarahumara
in the past, as the Tarahumara Indians use this salvia medicinally. It is a woody, upright shrub, growing up to 4 ft. here.
The small, pale lavender-blue flowers are sweetly-scented. It does not react very well to the British climate, and flowering
can be sparse. However I saw a splendid example of S. melissodora in Ginny Hunt's garden in California, about 6 ft. tall
and smothered in flowers. This may be an inferior form of Salvia keerlii, described on pages 6 and 30. Grow in a well-drained sunny spot, or
in a large pot.
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Salvia officinalis 'Nazareth'
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A new form of the common, culinary sage, this is particularly appealing because of the almost white foliage in Spring and
Autumn. The leaves are a more normal green in mid-Summer, when the pale blue-purple flowers cover the plant. Perfectly hardy,
propagation is best from cuttings. Salvia officinalis is native to Spain, and most of Southern Europe, also North Africa
and parts of the Middle East. I do not know where the name 'Nazareth' originated.
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Salvia 'Christine Yeo'
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This hybrid of S. microphylla and S. chamaedryoides was found in the garden of Christine Yeo in Devon. It has become a
popular plant in the UK. Cultivation is straight-forward, as it is hardy, and is happy in full sun or partial shade.
A compact shrub about 2 ft x 2ft, flowering from late May until frost. The flowers are a deep purple colour. It does
set plentiful seed, but the flower shades can vary, so taking cuttings is the preferred from of propagation.
Virtually identical plants have been found elsewhere in Europe, where they have different names.
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Salvia hybrid orbignaei x haenkei
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Photographed in Germany, this beautiful hybrid is from the same source as S. 'Petra' (see page 4). The flower colour is
similar to that of S. orbignaei (see page 5), but it is more upright, and has a longer-flowering period, all Summer.
I believe this salvia grows well in partial shade, and that regular watering is necessary. It is defnitely not hardy.
There are more hybrids of the same parentage, all found in a remote area of Bolivia.
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Salvia clinopodioides
aka 'Michoacan Blue'
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Originally named simply as Sp. 1 from Mexico, this became known as S. Sp. 'Michoacan Blue'. Now it has been tentatively
identified as Salvia clinopodioides. (However, there is a much smaller, and different salvia also called clinopodioides here!)
It is an interesting plant, with royal blue flowers in large whorls, from September onwards. It will be cut back to the
ground with frost, but may prove to be borderline hardy. Underground suckers may emerge in June. Best grown in a pot,
and kept in a frost-free place in Winter. It has not set seed here.
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Salvia clinopodioides
(The other one.)
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Yet to be identified, this is the other salvia known as S. clinopodioides. It is also from Mexico, and thought to be related
to S. glechomifolia, S. muelleri, and S. thymoides. It is a small plant, no more than 1ft. in height and spread. It has
smallish mid-green leaves, and small, deep blue flowers. An attractive little salvia, it seems to require excellent
drainage and a sunny spot, a rockery would be ideal as it tends to sprawl slightly. It has proved to be hardy in a gravel
garden, but not in mine. It sets plentiful seed, though cuttings can be taken.
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Salvia coccinea 'Brenthurst'
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There are many cultivars of the popular S. coccinea, which is endemic to large parts of South America, Mexico, the West
Indies, and Southern USA. The original species has red flowers, but there are now pink, white, scarlet, and bi-coloured
forms. 'Brenthurst' is appealing, as it is a strong pink colour. Up to 2 ft. high in the UK, but much taller in warmer
climates, seed sown in early Spring will produce flowering plants by mid-Summer. A warm, sunny spot is ideal, and
dead-heading ensures repeat flowering until October. It sets seed prolifically, and will usually come true, if the
plants are not grown in close proximity with other cultivars.
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Salvia flocculosa
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From Ecuador, this was wrongly known as Salvia cruickshanksii. This salvia is an appealing
plant with silvery-green foliage, and light blue flowers. It grows here to about 3 ft. tall, and apppreciates some support.
Flowering is from mid-Summer until frost, which it will not tolerate. It has never set seed here, but can be rooted from
cuttings. Grown in a pot, and moved into the greenhouse in Autumn, it will continue to flower well into the Winter.
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Salvia disjuncta
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From Mexico and Guatemala, this is a winter-flowering species for a greenhouse or conservatory, but flowering often
continues until July. The bright red flowers are large, and somewhat stubby, but quite beautiful. I have two forms of
this salvia, the upright one grows to about 4 ft. tall and has dark-coloured stems and purplish foliage (the one in
the picture), and another, known as 'Chimbango' which has similar flowers, but bright green foliage, and it is a
sprawling plant. Best grown in a container to be moved indoors before any threat of frost. Propagate from cuttings.
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Salvia iodantha
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Another Mexican species, this sometimes gets confused with S. purpurea. The flowers of S. iodantha are not purple, more of
a crimson colour. They are in large whorls and are very striking when in full bloom, velvety in appearance as they are
covered with fine hairs. This is a winter-flowering species, suited to a large container. It can be rampant, growing up
to 10ft x 6ft, but regular pruning will help to keep it more compact. It does not set seed here, so cuttings should be
taken in early Summer. The whole plant can be prone to red-spider mite under glass, so normal precautions are advised.
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Salvia tiliifolia
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Widespread throughout Mexico, Central and Southern America, this species has blue flowers, which are some of the smallest
of the genus. This is perhaps a plant for collectors only, as it is rather weedy. Growth is 3ft. x 3ft. Close inspection
will show a plant which is quite attractive. The combination of lime-green leaves, black stems, and black calyces from
which the tiny flowers can just be seen might appeal to some people. The plant is annual, and can seed itself around a
large area, rather like a similar species, S. misella.
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