Salvia Gallery
Page 24
Salvia hierosolymitana
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This Salvia is found in Eastern Mediterranean regions, such as Israel and Lebanon. Allegedly a hardy perennial, I have never successfully
over-wintered this plant outside. It just rots! The one year when it did flower was interesting...long flowering stems, with lovely, but
tiny, burgundy-coloured flowers, similar in colour to those of S. viscosa. It tends to flower in early spring, provided late frosts have
not occurred. I have given up with this Salvia, and will hope that others in warmer European climates will have better results than I
have. (Photo by Christian Froissart.)
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Salvia pinguifolia
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This is another rare species, this time from Arizona and New Mexico, in the USA. This will grow up to 3 ft. and is supposedly hardy
to -6 degrees, but, like Californian species, it will not tolerate winter rainfall. I have kept this in a pot, in a dry greenhouse
environment in winter, and it has flowered, albeit reluctantly in spring. Delightful white flowers with blue markings. It hates a
humid climate. It will occasionally set seed, and propagation from cuttings is not easy. A difficult, but rather lovely Salvia for
a collector. (Photo by Christian Froissart.) (This species gets confused with S. ballotaeflora.)
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Salvia striata 'Red Form'
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This is a red form of Salvia striata, the more usual pink form being shown and described on page 1 of this site. I have been very pleased
with my pink form which has flowered quite well throughout the winter in my greenhouse. Unfortunately it does not set any seed here, the
flowers being too narrow for our pollinating insects. I might attempt to hand-pollinate it later. (Photo from Christian Froissart.)
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Salvia dolomitica
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This is from Transvaal in South Africa. It is called dolomitica because it grows in a rocky soil known as dolomite. It has nothing to do
with the Dolomite mountains in Italy. It is an attractive shrub with pale grey leaves, and the pale lilac and cream flowers appear in
late summer. It usually grows up to 3 ft. tall. It is shy to flower in the UK, as it is happier in a sunnier, warmer climate. Salvia
dolomitica is not hardy here, but slow-to-root cuttings can be successfully over-wintered under glass. (Photo by Christian Froissart.)
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Salvia evansiana
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Salvia evansiana is an elusive species from China. This photo, from Christian Froissart, may or may not be of the true species. There
are many similar Salvias which grow in China, and they frequently hybridise, even in European gardens. Similar species are S. castanea,
S. dolichantha, and S. przewalskii. The even more elusive S. hians also gets confused with them. I was given a plant of S. evansiana
from a reliable Dutch source last year. Large flower buds appeared, but they all got eaten by earwigs. This was a pity, as this plant
was definitely different from my other Chinese Salvias. They should all set seed, and they all require excellent drainage.
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Salvia aurea
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Also known as Salvia africana-lutea, aurea seems to be the accepted name. This is a tender shrub fom South Africa, which needs sunshine
and well-drained soil. Growing to 3ft x 3ft, this plant has curious, large, yellow flowers which fade to a rusty brown. They remain on
the plant for some time. The light green leaves have a pungent aroma, which is pleasing to some people, unpleasant to others.
Flowering commences in early spring, under glass. Propagation can be from cuttings or seed. There is an altogether superior form
in cultivation, S. aurea 'Kirstenbosch', which is more floriferous. (Photo by Christian Froissart.)
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Salvia hypargeia
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Similar to Salvia montbrettii on page 4, this small Salvia is found in Eastern Turkey, Iraq and Iran. The basal foliage is grey-green,
and covered in white hairs. The flowering stems are up to 1ft tall, and the attractive, pale blue flowers, with a whitish lower lip,
are produced in early summer. Reputedly hardy, but like most Turkish Salvias, its chances of survival in winter are increased if it is
kept in a pot, under glass, with minimum water until new growth starts in spring. Propagate by seed or division. Best grown outside in
a raised bed, with gritty soil. (Photo by Christian Froissart.)
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Salvia plebeja
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Also known as S. brachiata, this annual Salvia is widespread throughout Asia from Egypt to Malaysia. It has also been found in Australia.
It is a small plant 1ft x 1ft, with tiny flowers, which can be white, pink, red, purple or blue. It is used medicinally in China, as are
many other species which grow there. Grow from seed, and flowering should occur within a few weeks. The whole plant has an odour of
peppermint. This Salvia is really for avid collectors, as there is little to recommend it. (Photo by Christian Froissart.)
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Salvia leucocephala
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A rare species from Ecuador, where it has been known to reach 15ft in height, this is a tender, winter-flowering Salvia. Here, it has
only grown to about 4ft, and starts to flower in February. Foliage is plain green, but the
flowering stems produce large whorls of buds at the top which are covered in white, woolly hairs. The large flowers are a beautiful deep
red colour. Unlikely to set seed here. Prune after flowering, as there will be lots of new growth from the base of the plant.
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Salvia subpalmatinervis
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Where do they get these names from? Another confused species from China, the same comments I wrote about S. evansiana, earlier on
this page, can apply to this Salvia, which may, or may not be the real subpalmatinervis. Most of the Chinese Salvias require the same
conditions, i.e. full sun to part-shade, plenty of water in summer, but exceptionally well-drained soil in winter, or the roots may
rot. (Photo by Christian Froissart.)
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Salvia runcinata
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A tender Salvia from South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, this is a variable species. Flowers can be white, lilac, or purple. It grows
to 18 inches tall and will flower for most of the summer months. The foliage is strongly aromatic, like most Salvias from the African
continent. Seeds should be collected, as cuttings are reputedly difficult to root. Salvia runcinata has sometimes been confused with
another South African species, S. namaensis (shown on page 16), which is strange, as they are quite different.(Photo by Christian
Froissart.)
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Salvia X omeiana
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I commented earlier on this page (S. evansiana and S. subpalmatinervis) about hybridisation amongst Chinese Salvias. This is a typical
example. This hybrid grew in Christian Froissart's garden in France. It is thought that one parent may be S. omeiana (see pages 10 and 16),
since the underside of the foliage is purple. But the flowers are an extraodinary mix of colours, whereas the real S. omeiana has bright
yellow flowers. Many Salvia hybrids are sterile and do not set seed, but the Chinese hybrids often do, and one never knows what the
result will be.
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