Salvia Gallery
Page 22
Salvia glabrescens
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A rather beautiful species from Japan, this is completely unknown in the UK. Yoji Saito, the Japanese Salvia expert has kindly allowed
me to show this picture. It seems to be an extremely attractive species with blue flowers, though there is also a pink form which would
appear to be quite stunning. I can only guess that this would be a hardy species, may set seed here, may not! Flowering occurs in Autumn,
and like Salvia koyamae, it will probably thrive in a warm, damp, shady area. I believe this to be a hardy perennial.
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Salvia heerii
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This a very rare Salvia from Peru. It is a large plant with long, narrow scarlet-red flowers, reminiscent of several other species.
(In Germany, this has been incorrectly named in Botanical Gardens recently....the actual plant that was labelled as heerii is actually a
greggii/microphylla hybrid.) I cannot really advise on how to grow this, as I only recently acquired a cutting...thanks to Christian
Froissart and also for the picture.... This is a great addition to my collection. See update on page 31
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Salvia recurva
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A spectacular Salvia from Mexico and Guatemala, this is extremely difficult to grow in in the UK. It requires more heat than what is
regularly available in a cool greenhouse. My friend, Christian, from France, has allowed me to show this picture of his S. recurva,
where it has flowered in his conservatory, which is warmer than my greenhouse. My plants pretended to have buds, but they all aborted.
Perhaps I have to discard this one, sadly! Friends of mine recently saw this in full bloom at Strybing, they said it was awesome!
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Salvia splendens
'Van Houttei'
(variegated form)'
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This is an unusual form of Salvia splendens 'Van Houttei' from Richard Dufresne, with variegated foliage. This plant is not available in
the UK, so I am unable to comment about it. Normally I am suspicious of variegated plants....one automatically thinks of viruses...
but this plant looks rather special. I wonder, however, if it will flower as well as the non-variegated forms. If I do ever acquire it,
I will treat it as I treat the normal 'Van Houttei', a warm, moist, shady area, and see what happens!
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Salvia funerea
(Woolly Sage)
(Death Valley Sage)
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This very rare Salvia is endemic to the Funeral Mountains which are close to Death Valley in SE California, one of the hottest regions of
the USA. Hardly surprising that this Salvia is not available anywhere in Europe, to my knowledge. It would never survive in our weather
conditions. The flowers are deep blue and surrounded by a white cotton-like calyx. This Salvia is unusual in that it has prickly spines
at the end of the leaves. It grows in crevices in limestone areas, and can grow to several feet high and wide. It probably flowers in
early Spring. This picture is under copyright by Christopher L. Christie 2005. I am grateful to him for allowing me to show this photograph.
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Salvia eremostachya
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Another rare Salvia from Southern California and Baja California in Mexico, I have twice received seeds of this plant. Germination was
fast, but within a few weeks all the seedlings died. It is yet again a species which will not tolerate the British climate. Such a pity,
as this is a delightful plant, with lime-green crenated foliage. The flowers are usually pale blue, but I understand that white and
violet forms exist. In its natural habitat it can grow to 5 ft. x 5 ft. I have read that serious investigation is taking place at the
Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden in California. My sincere thanks to Michael Charters Copyright 2006 for allowing me to show this picture.
Just sad that I cannot grow this species in England.
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Salvia sonomensis
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Yet another Californian sage which would prove to be immensely difficult to grow in the British climate. This Salvia is widespread in
California, and it is also very variable in colour, and regularly hybridises with similar species. Hybrids named as 'Bee's Bliss', 'Dara's
Choice', 'Mrs Beard', and 'Allen Chickering' are regularly seen in the USA. In its natural habitat, this is a very hardy plant, and its
common name of "creeping sage" suggests that it roots along the ground. Flower colour is variable, but usually lavender-blue. A totally
dry area in Summer is essential for this Salvia to survive. This picture has been kindly supplied by Michael Charters ©2006.
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Salvia mohavensis
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Another rare and beautiful Salvia, this can be found in the Mojave desert, Arizona, and in parts of Northern Mexico. I have germinated
seeds of this species, and like other species from nearby regions, the seedlings died . British climate again! The flower colour varies
from pale to dark blue, also violet and white. Obviously, a hot and dry climate is essential for this lovely Salvia to succeed. The foliage has a completely disgusting smell. This
photograph was kindly supplied by Christopher L. Christie ©2005.
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Salvia thermarum
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A recently discovered species from South Africa, this would appear to be closely related to S. lanceolata shown on page 15. It was
found at the Goudini Spa, close to the Slanghoek Mountains, in rocky soil, close to Cape Town. The large flowers are a deep salmon
colour, on a plant which will grow up to 3 ft. in its natural environment. This seems to be a very difficult plant to grow in the UK,
as the climate is too damp. Yet, it could be a great plant in warmer, Southern European areas. This picture was taken by Petra
Wester from Mainz University in Germany, where her ideal greenhouse conditions have enabled this Salvia to flourish. Summer-flowering,
I hope to try this species again.
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Salvia urticifolia
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Not yet available in Europe, this is a very attractive 2 ft. high wildflower which is found in a few South-Eastern states of the USA.
It is known as "Nettle-Leaf Sage", but it does not sting. The attractive blue and white flowers can be seen from April until late June.
It is perennial, and I would imagine it to be fairly hardy. It has been found along roadsides and in woodlands from Louisiana and Florida
to Ohio and Pennsylvania, but it is a rare species. I hope to discover how it will grow in the UK before long. This photo is copyright of
Kris Light, to whom I am indebted for allowing me to include it.
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Salvia absconditiflora
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Also known as Salvia cryptantha, this small plant is from Turkey. The resemblance to S.multicaulis is striking, except that the calyces
are greeny-yellow and the flowers are white, whereas S. multicaulis has brownish red calyces and purple flowers. (I hope to add a picture
of S. multicaulis if my plant flowers this year.) Like most of the species from Turkey, this should flower in spring/summer, and must be
kept dry in winter. It should be grown in a sunny, well-drained spot. It should set seed which might be difficult to germinate.
(Photo by Christian Froissart.)
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Salvia chienii
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This Chinese Salvia can grow up to 30 inches tall. Long, flowering stems will appear in spring and early summer, with small, pale pink flowers. Its hardiness has not
been tested here, but I would suspect that it will survive several degrees of frost, provided it grows in well-drained soil. All Chinese
species seem to set seed freely, but they are inclined to hybridise. (Photo by Christian Froissart.)
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