From the Mexican province of Oaxaca, I wanted to possess this Salvia ever since seeing the picture of it in Betsy Clebsch's first book.
2 years ago it found its way into the UK, and has proved to be an easy plant to grow. Flowering starts in November, under glass, and
will continue for up to 3 months. The long stems are floppy, and ideally need some support. The furry flowers are a lovely shade of
magenta, but difficult to photograph to get the correct colour. Possibly hardy outdoors, but to see the flowers, it must be in a
frost-proof environment. Easily propagated from cuttings, and it will set seed occasionally. Different forms of Salvia littae can be found in the wild.
Salvia purpurea (close up)
This picture is is a close-up of my
plant which originated from Ginny Hunt in California. The colour is similar, but there are many variations on the structure of the
flowers. This is a vary variable species, often confused with S. iodantha, and I am sure there are several hybrids to be found. I
believe that this is the real S. purpurea. Another tall, slightly sprawling plant, which is smothered with light purple flowers
from December to March. More reliable than S. iodantha in the UK, it copes better with low temperatures in the greenhouse. Propagate
from cuttings.
Salvia regla 'Hidalgo'
I have already included 2 forms of Salvia regla on this site, but this is another variety grown in the USA. This photograph was kindly
supplied by Richard Dufresne ("The Sultan of Salvias"), and it is obvious that this is a remarkably floriferous form. Maybe because
it is in a pot with restricted room for root growth has encouraged such superb flowering? This would indicate that some liquid feed
is needed. I have had similar experiences with other pot-bound Salvias. There are several other forms of S. regla, none of which are
available in the UK. But, it is somewhat temperamental here, but well-worth growing. One year 1,000 flowers....the next year,
just 2 or 3! Just remember that it is deciduous.
Salvia 'Costa Rican Blue'
I have been hitherto reluctant to include a picture of this wonderful Salvia as there is so much confusion amongst the experts as to
what it really is. For many years it has been sold in the UK as Salvia guaranitica 'Black and Blue'. In the USA and Australia it is
known as Salvia 'Costa Rican Blue', nobody seems to know why! I heard that it was found in a garden in Costa Rica, but S. guaranitica
is not endemic to that country. Colleagues of mine seem to think that this is not a guaranitica at all, and I agree with them, since
this plant does not form tubers. However, it is a great plant, up to 8 ft. tall, large violet-blue flowers from October until frosts.
Cuttings will flower sometimes during the winter, on much smaller plants. Barely hardy here, always take a few cuttings.
Salvia splendens 'Van Houttei' "Paul"
This picture was kindly sent to me by Richard Dufresne. There is a lot of research which needs to be done regarding the many forms of S.
splendens. Salvia splendens 'Van Houttei' was described on page 14 on this site, and this lovely lilac-coloured variation appears to be
a great plant. But, maybe it would be more correct to describe it just as a form of S. splendens? I have what I believe to be the true
species of S. splendens (see previous pages...or look at the A-Z index), and I get confused when I receive emails telling me that my
large splendens is a form of Van Houttei! I believe the reverse to be true.
Salvia mexicana var. minor
A late-flowering form of the extremely variable Salvia mexicana, this seems to be very similar to the un-named CDR 1458 on page 20.
But there are subtle differences in the growth formation of these plants. I would not be surprised if they are both forms of S. mexicana,
even though I compared CDR 1458 with S. amarissima, I think I might have made an incorrect observation there. This is a lovely
winter-flowering Salvia, masses of small, deep blue flowers, over a long period. Propagate from cuttings, though it may set a few
seeds. The large forms of S. mexicana are difficult here, with the exception of 'Limelight', as they are too large to over-winter,
and flower, indoors.
Salvia from Mexico unidentified species
This is a mystery. I received cuttings of this with different names. One was labelled S. lasiantha, which it is not, the others just
had numbers! Whatever it is, it is very disappointing. A thug in the garden last Summer, it grew to 6 ft. tall, large branches fell over,
then rooted all over the place! Incredibly sticky stems also! Instantly killed by the first frosts, but I had cuttings for the
greenhouse. They were also somewhat thuggish and attracted aphids. Loads of flower buds appeared in November. These decided to open
recently, resulting in small, scarlet flowers, very small when compared with the size of the plant. I might discard this one!
Salvia gravida (close up)
Here is a close-up picture of the flowers of the stunning Salvia gravida, kindly sent to be by Christian Froissart, the French Salvia
expert. (See page 3 for a description of this plant....there is still some discussion as to whether it is actually S.
vazquezii...but
I will stick with gravida for now!) My plant has masses of buds, which are just surviving the extremely cold weather here. This is an
amazing plant, with huge racemes of large, deep red flowers. Having thought that S. dorisiana provided the most deliciously scented
foliage of the Salvia family, S. gravida has overtaken it. The foliage has the most fragrant scent of any Salvia I have known.
Salvia amethystina subsp. ampelophylla
Brand new to the UK, this is a large Salvia from Venezuela and Colombia. A 4 inch cutting in Summer has grown into a massive plant
5ft. x 4 ft. It will not tolerate any frost, in fact some of the top growth has been burnt, even in a heated area.This plant has some
of the largest triangular leaves of any Salvia, up to 12 inches long, and they are extremely fragrant when rubbed. Beautiful, silky
hairs on the underside. The medium-sized flowers are a violet-blue colour, with a distinct white marking on the lower lip. Large whorls of flowers
on long stems appear from September onwards. It does set a few seeds which is useful, as this Salvia sometimes dies after flowering.
Salvia lasiantha (the real one?)
On page 19 of my site, I showed a picture of what is known as Salvia lasiantha in the USA. I did state that this was probably an
incorrect name. This picture, kindly supplied by Petra Wester, is likely to be the real S. lasiantha. Strange, yet rather beautiful
flowers. The true species is found in Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica, and is allegedly a very variable species. But, there are no
known blue forms, so the Salvia on page 19 is probably from the S. melissodora family. I do not have this Salvia, so I cannot advise
on growing conditions. I suspect that it will be tender, and winter-flowering.
Salvia koyamae
Endemic to Lake Matsubara and the Honshu Province in Japan, this is a hardy perennial Salvia which is winter-dormant. Very rare in the UK,
I have never grown it, this picture was kindly supplied by the Japanese Salvia expert, Yoji Saito. Flowering is in Summer, and it is
suggested that it will perform well in warm, shady, humid areas. The flowers are an attractive shade of yellow. It apparently sets
viable seeds, but can also be propagated from cuttings. My limited attempts with Japanese Salvias have not been very successful.
I don't know why, as the Japanese and British climates are not that different.
Salvia tubifera
This picture was supplied by Sue Templeton in Australia. Salvia tubifera is a confused species from Mexico and Guatemala. It is commonly
confused with Salvia longistyla, and now there is another plant known as S. excelsa. This last one has never flowered here, but the
foliage is very similar. I have feeble plants of longistyla and tubifera in my greenhouse. The only difference that I notice is that
longistyla flowers later, and is twice the size of what I have as tubifera. It is obviously struggling to survive here, and in all
honesty, I must admit that I am not impressed with either of them! In a warmer climate, I might be very impressed! However, I was
obliged to show this plant. Will probably discard it now! Perhaps there is no such thing as S. tubifera.
