Salvia Gallery
Page 23
Salvia trijuga
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This is a very pretty 18 inch-tall Salvia from China. Its hardiness is borderline, but it can easily be treated as an annual, as it
sets plenty of seed. The large blue/purple flowers will appear in summer, on stems rising from basal rosettes. Flower-colour can vary,
as deep pink forms have been found. A sunny area is required, and it can combine well with the South African Salvia scabra, shown on
page 13. The lower lip of the flower is particularly attractive, with colourful markings, and has an unusual shape.
(Photo by Christian Froissart.)
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Salvia florida (close up)
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Here is a close-up of a flower of Salvia florida, shown and described on page 7. This photo was taken by Christian Froissart, who obviously
provides better conditions for this large winter-flowering Salvia. My plant is rather sickly this winter, and most of the flower buds
have dropped off. The flowers are long and narrow, and are a really great shade of carmine.
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Salvia africana
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Until recently, this was known as Salvia africana-caerulea, but experts have decided that "caerulea", which means blue, is an unnecessary
attachment. Native to South Africa, this bushy plant usually grows up to 3ft x 3ft. It blooms from mid-summer until frosts, and the pale
blue/lilac flowers are a nice contrast to the small, aromatic, grey-green leaves. There are always white markings on the lower lip, and
no two flowers are the same. It will only survive mild, dry winters here. Propagate from cuttings or slow-germinating seeds.
(Photo by Christian Froissart.)
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Salvia caespitosa
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Not an easy plant in the UK, this delightful Turkish species only grows to about 9 inches. It forms a dense mat of foliage, the leaves
being grey in colour. The flowers are extremely large for such a small plant, and are a good shade of pink. They also point directly
upwards. Though hardy, it is unlikely to survive outdoors in winter as it hates to be rained on after it has flowered. It can be grown
in a pot, in poor, gritty soil, or in a protected Alpine bed. It will set a few seeds...if it flowers! I think I noticed buds forming
on my plant yesterday (12 Feb 06) which is very early, as flowering usually starts in May. (Photo by Patrice Christmann.)
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Salvia hispanica
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This Salvia is widespread in Southern Mexico and parts of Central America, where it is cultivated for its seeds, the oil of which is
used for painting. The seeds are also used to make a drink. This is an annual species, and flowering will commence just 3 months after
sowing seed. The plant grows to 3ft x 3ft. The only disadvantage of this Salvia is that the flowers are very small, though they are a
good shade of blue. (Photo by Christian Froissart.)
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Salvia setulosa
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This is a Mexican species, which would appear to be very closely related to S. glechomifolia and similar Salvias. Unfortunately, little
is known about this plant. For me, it grows up to 2 ft. and is very floriferous throughout the summer months. The flowers are small, but
plentiful, a lovely mid-blue, with white markings on the lower lip. Flower buds appear on a congested whorl, but the flowers are a trifle
disappointing as only a few open at the same time. This is a confused species...much research needs to be done to clarify the correct name.
I have two other similar, un-named Salvias, which are almost, but not quite identical. (Photo by Christian Froissart.)
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Salvia cavalerieri
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As far as I know, this Chinese Salvia is not currently in cultivation in the UK. This picture was kindly supplied by Christian Froissart,
the French Salvia specialist. It is a very attractive species, small flowers which are white with a hint of pink. It forms basal rosettes
of foliage, and has 1 ft. long flowering stems in spring and early summer. It is allegedly a very small species, which thrives in a
semi-shaded environment. I would suggest that seed will be plentiful, but if any other Chinese Salvias are in close proximity, then
hybrids will occur. Not necessarily a problem, provided a Salviaphile is prepared to investigate!
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Salvia personata
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This close-up picture, gratefully contributed by Christian Froissart, makes a really weedy Salvia look terrific....which it is not! This
Salvia is found in Bolivia and Northern Argentina, and is really a weedy species. The plant can sprawl all over the place, with very long
stems, but the pretty pale blue flowers are really tiny. I was also given seeds of S. sophrona, and the resulting plants were identical.
It would seem that Salvia platystoma, page 14, is a superior, closely-related species. I no longer grow S. personata. This plant can be
grown by the National Salvia Collection holders, if they wish.
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Salvia lavanduliifolia
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This Salvia, which is closely related to the culinary sage, Salvia officinalis, is native to Spain, Southern France, and North-West
Africa. It spreads to several feet, but the flowering stems are only about 1 ft. tall. The leaves are grey/green and can be used for
culinary purposes. Very aromatic. Flowering occurs in June and July, and the large flowers are pale blue/lilac in colour. Hardly
spectacular, but quite pleasant. This is hardy in the UK, provided that good drainage is available, and propagation can be from seed
or cuttings. (Photo from Christian Froissart.)
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Salvia tingitana
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A rare Salvia from Morocco, allegedly from an area around Tangiers. Hence the name (?). Also known as Salvia foetida, because of the
strongly aromatic foliage. Some people find the smell offensive, I just find it...well...medicinal! This is a bushy, tender perennial,
somewhat resembling S. sclarea, but the large, plentiful flowers are white, with delicate lilac and yellow markings. The large, pale
green leaves are a good foil to the flowering stems from June until October. Possibly hardy in a mild and warm winter, but don't rely
on this. Best to take cuttings and seeds.
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Salvia dumetorum
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Similar to several European species, this Salvia is common in Western Russia and the Ukraine. It has been commonly sold in the UK as
Salvia stepposa. This is easy to grow here, as it is reliably hardy. It does set seed occasionally, but is inclined to hybridise with
other, similar species. Not unlike S. nemorosa, it will flower in early summer, and dead-heading will encourage another flush in late
summer. Normally grows to 3ft. x 3ft and it is a marvellous addition to a herbaceous border. (Photo by Christian Froissart).
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Salvia pachystachys
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This is a rather beautiful species which is found in the Caucasus Mountains between the Black and Caspian Seas. It is found in such
remote areas as Chechnya and Georgia. It has recently been introduced in the UK, and it seems that it is easier to grow than other species
from similar locations. From a basal rosette of pinnate leaves, 18 inch flowering stems should appear in late spring, with large white
flowers, splashed with pink/purple spots. This is a really good Salvia. It does set seed, though germination can be erratic. Hardiness
not yet decided. (Photo from Christian Froissart.)
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