Salvia Gallery
Page 19
Salvia guaranitica
'Blue Enigma'
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This picture was taken in my garden on 1st August 2005. This was a Salvia which encouraged me to create my collection.
After many years, this is still one of my favourites, as it is never fails to delight, from July until frosts. I originally
purchased this as S. ianthina in France, but the name "ianthina" is invalid. This has been hardy here for many years, and
is now 6 ft. x 6 ft. It spreads by underground tubers, but is controllable, unlike its close relative 'Argentine Skies'....
which is somewhat uncontrollable! Propagate from cuttings or from the occasional seeds. Best in full sunshine, with regular
watering in dry spells.
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Salvia 'Betsy's Purple'
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This was discovered in Betsy Clebsch's garden a few years ago. It would appear to be a hybrid, resembling S. 'Purple Majesty',
S. 'Black Knight', and others. This particular hybrid is much more compact in growth, but still has enormous deep purple
flowers. Rather late-flowering, like its cousins, this has potential as it should not grow more than 5 ft. tall. Flowering
is in late Summer or early Autumn, and it can only be propagated from cuttings. The parentage is yet to be decided.
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Salvia species from Ecuador
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An unidentified species, this is a monstrous Salvia. It will rapidly grow to 1O ft. and more, and will easily take over the
whole greenhouse in Winter. My cutting grew into an enormous plant, but never showed any
signs of flowering. But, I gave a cutting to Christine Yeo, and this great picture is from her plant. It does remind me of
S. dorisiana, but the foliage is quite different, and does not have a fruity odour. This is likely to be Salvia tortuosa.
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Salvia disermas
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This is another variable species from South Africa. Sometimes the small flowers are white, but pink and blue forms have been
described... Salvia rugosa has frequently been mis-identified with this species. The pink form seems to be the most
frequently seen. Hardly spectacular, but quite a pretty plant. Somewhat sprawling, this could nevertheless be an attractive
rockery specimen, with excellent drainage being essential. Seed is usually available.
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Salvia mexicana
'Huntington Gardens Form'
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Salvia mexicana, with all its forms, is a species which is sadly lacking on my website. Reason being, apart from S. mexicana
'Limelight', is that they flower too late for the British climate, i.e. the first buds get killed by frost...like S. madrensis.
My plants will grow wild, twice as tall as me, but no flowers! So I have given up with these! I was lucky to see this
S. mexicana at Cabrillo last month, which was truly wonderful. I understand that S. mexicana is an extremely variable Salvia,
but this one is superb.
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Brillantaisia subulugurica
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This is not a Salvia. This is a plant endemic to Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Widely grown as a garden plant in South Africa and
Australia, it has been given the name of "Giant Salvia" or "Tropical Salvia". It is, in fact, a member of the acanthaceae
family of plants, nothing to do with Salvias. Inspection of the large, beautiful, purple flowers will show some similarity,
but it is definitely not a Salvia. I have only had this plant for 3 months, seems to be rampant, and will not be hardy.
Will root easily from cuttings, no sign if any seed so far.
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Salvia cyanescens
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The picture on page 15 of S. cyanescens is possibly S. candidissima. I truly believe that this picture is the real S.
cyanescens. The small flowers, which are lilac-blue, are plentiful during early Summer. This is a most attractive Turkish
species, possibly ideal for a rockery. Quite easy to grow in the British climate, as long as good drainage is available.
Seeds are freely produced.
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Salvia lasiantha...
mis-named
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This is an uncommon species from Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. The rather splendid 8 ft. tall plant which I saw in
California had masses of bright, small blue flowers, The name lasiantha is incorrect, as the real S. lasiantha has deep maroon flowers.
The Salvia pictured is likely to be related to S. melissodora or S. keerlii. I received seeds of this plant
2 or 3 years ago. The plants remained small, and have never flowered here. This is a pity, as it is a good,
Summer-flowering shrub in the right conditions.
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Salvia regla 'Mt. Emory'
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This is a form of the Mexican species of Salvia regla. This is a vigorous Salvia, which is unusual in that it is deciduous,
like S. gilliesii. In California, I have seen this form growing like a tree, smothered with bright red flowers. However,
in the UK, a large plant does not want to flower! The normal species of S. regla flowers intermittently here, and my plant
has some great flowers right now. I am not at all certain as to what cultural conditions this Salvia requires in the UK.
Possibly similar requirements to those of Salvia dombeyi...which has been disastrous this year.
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Salvia chiapensis
(common form)
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At last my plant has started to flower, very late this year. This is the more normal form of S. chiapensis, the other,
on page 2, may be a different species. This Mexican Salvia is inclined to sprawl, but as it rarely exceeds 3 ft. in height
or width, it is an excellent plant for growing in a container. It requires frequent watering, and seems happy in sun or
part-shade. The deep pink flowers usually appear in mid-Summer here, and will continue for most of the Winter if the plant
is given protection from frost. Propagation is from cuttings.
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Salvia 'Celestial Blue'
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Yet another beautiful Californian hybrid, I am told that this is S. clevelandii x S. pachyphylla. The similarities to each
parent can be seen. Good things about these hybrids are that they are usually more vigorous than the parents, and also,
the flowering period is longer. Since neither S. clevelandii nor S. pachyphylla ever want to flower in the UK, there is
little hope of success with this plant, if it ever reaches our shores.
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Salvia patens 'Pink Ice'
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The true Salvia patens is royal blue, and other forms commonly seen are 'Cambridge Blue', 'Lavender Lady' (aka 'Chilcombe'),
'Guanajuato', and 'White Trophy'. I had never heard of a pink form of S. patens until I visited a garden in California
recently, where this chance seedling occurred. Not the cleanest of pinks, it is nevertheless an important introduction.
It seems to come true from seed, and it is a vigorous form of Salvia patens.
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