Salvia Gallery
Page 14
Salvia Sp. from
Ventnor Botanical Gardens
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This salvia is a bit of a mystery. My thoughts are that it is very closely related to S. involucrata. The tight flower-bud
which does not ever seem to open completely reminds me of S. involucrata 'Bethellii', but the foliage does not, as it is
lime-green and slightly fruit-scented. It has been suggested that this might be Salvia puberula. This form only flowers
here in Winter, and is unreliable. However, it is a great foliage plant. Updates will hopefully follow, as these salvias
are very prone to hybridisation.
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Salvia 'Sue Templeton'
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Named after the Australian Salvia specialist, this is a superb hybrid of S. recognita x S. officinalis which was bred in
New Zealand. I have only germinated one seed, and this took a while. It would appear from comparing pictures that it is
the real thing. It is a long-flowering perennial plant, and though the parentage indicates that it should be winter-hardy,
my sole plant was seriously damaged last winter. Cuttings can be taken, also seeds, but viability is doubtful. This is a
hyrbrid with which I shall continue to experiment.
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Salvia x superba 'Rubin'
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There is a very complicated mix of the species...nemorosa, x. superba, and x. sylvestris... not being particularly interested
in any of these salvias, please do not ask me for any information, as my limited knowledge would be of no use. What I can say
is that S. x superba 'Rubin' is a superb garden plant, totally hardy, with purple/pink flowers and long-lasting
similar-coloured calyces. It has not set seed, to my knowledge, but I have not searched for it. A dainty plant,
could be good for a rockery, as it only grows to 18 inches tall.
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Salvia grewiifolia
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An extremely rare species from Bolivia, very little is known about this plant. I was given a cutting in 2004, which
took ages to root. The plant grew fairly well in Autumn, and appeared to have died during Winter. Suddenly in May, it burst
into life, and this is a photo of the one flower it has produced on 30th June 2005.The upward-facing flower seems to bear a
strong resemblance to that of the probably wrongly-named S. pulchella (see page 5). I have ascertained that this was
collected at a low altitude in Bolivia, so a warm area in Winter seems to be required, similar to that of
S. oxyphora (See page 3).
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Salvia forreri
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Closely related to several other similar Mexican species, S. forreri is a ground-covering plant, dormant in Winter, which
will rapidly spread over an area of about 3ft., whilst it will only achieve a height of a few inches. The plentiful flowers
are royal-blue with a white marking on the lower lip. Supposed to be closely related to S. arizonica, but on close inspection,
the plants are quite different. S. forreri is hardy, and will resprout in Spring. I have not found seed, not that I have
searched for them, as rooted clumps will easily provide new plants. Full sun seems to be required.
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Salvia pringlei
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This is from Mexico, and the true name is in doubt. I think that it is a form of S. iodantha, which has been possibly
identified as S. iodantha var. townsendii. For me, this has been an unattractive, large plant, but when it decided to
flower under glass in February, it was awesome. No seeds were forthcoming, but cuttings will root easily. The dreaded
red-spider mite seemed to be seriously attracted to this salvia. Worth trying again next Winter, but I might have to
discard others, due lack of space.
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Salvia verticillata
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This is a Salvia which is widespread throughout central Europe and Western Asia. A very attractive, hardy species, this has
several forms, the best known being Salvia verticillata 'Purple Rain'. Up to 2 ft. tall with a width of 4 ft., this is a
useful plant for a herbaceous border, best replaced every 2 or 3 years as it can become untidy. It sets seeds, which could
be considered to be a nuisance, but seedlings can easibly be eradicated. There is a dirty white form of this salvia, but I
cannot recommend it.
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Salvia splendens 'Van Houttei'
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Flowering does not begin until late Summer or early Autumn, although over-wintered cuttings will often have a few flowers in
early Spring. The flowers are a lovely wine-red colour, with some pink, and these are held in deep red calyces. This salvia
likes to be watered regularly, and appreciates some shade. In the USA, pink, white, purple and orange forms are available.
It grows to 3ft.x 3ft., and will not tolerate any frost, so cuttings should be taken. This Brazilian plant does not
set seed here.
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Salvia platystoma
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Another Bolivian species, this is quite similar to other pale blue flowering salvias. It is much taller, however, and
grew 4 ft. tall last year, and needed some support. The flowers are rather small, but there are many to be seen at any
one time. The flowers are an exquisite shade of light blue and white. It does not seem to be hardy here, so cuttings
should be taken. It did set a few seeds last year. This is really a collector's salvia, as it can easily be overlooked
when grown close to other plants. This is in all probability Salvia rypara subsp. platystoma.
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Salvia karwinskii
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Native to Central America and Southern Mexico, this tender salvia has been known to exceed 15ft. in height, though in the
UK it will be much less, about 5 ft. Tall stems with large, red flowers arise from grey-green foliage. This is
winter-flowering so is best grown in a large container which must be moved indoors before any frost. It is closely related
to S. involucrata, with which it oftern hybridises. (See page 8.) It provides some great colour in the greenhouse.
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Salvia longistyla
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This is a Mexican species, which starts to flower in mid-Autumn. It is not hardy, and is best grown in a container. This
salvia has handsome, green foliage, and the flowering stems have long, deep, wine-red flowers. Propagate from cuttings.
In Betsy Clebsch's second book, she describes S. tubiflora, and the illustration of it, to my eyes, is that of S.
longistyla. S. tubiflora is from Peru, and is a quite different species. (See page 7.)
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Salvia chamelaeagnea
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This is a tender shrub from South Africa. The foliage is aromatic, and the plant is used medicinally in its native habitats.
Flowering starts in mid-Summer, and continues well into the Autumn. The large flowers are pale blue, with white and cream
markings, an attractive combination above the lime-green leaves. This salvia may survive outdoors in a sheltered spot, but
it is advisable to take cuttings, as it rarely sets seed. It will grow to about 3ft. and enjoys full sun and good drainage.
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