Salvia Gallery Page 26 Salvia multicaulis This Salvia is native to the Eastern parts of Turkey, where it has been known to hybridise with similar species. The grey-green leaves are similar to the common sage (S. officinalis) but they are more rounded, and have a stronger odour. This plant hates to get waterlogged, but I have succeeded in growing a beautiful flowering plant by keeping it in a gritty soil in the greenhouse during winter. Allegedly hardy to -10 degrees, it is unlikely to survive a British winter outside, unless grown in a very well drained soil. This Salvia has lovely purple flowers enclosed within long-lasting reddish bracts. Propagate from seeds which can be slow to germinate...best sown when ripe. Salvia 'Harmony' This Salvia is a mystery. It is believed to have been collected in Ecuador, and for some years was sold under a botanically incorrect name as Salvia scordifolia. In California it makes a fairly compact shrub, smothered in small, deep blue flowers in late summer. In the UK, it is so far a disaster, as it cannot cope with the climate. Three years ago, I had pleasant flowers in August from seed sown in February, but during the last two years, the plants have not flowered. This Salvia thrives in a Californian climate, and also in Australia...my thanks to Pat Anderson in Melbourne for this photograph. Salvia siguatepequensis This is an interesting, and rather beautiful winter-flowering Salvia. A very tall plant, with large pink flowers. It has been said that the name 'siguatepequensis' is just a synonym for S. karwinskii. I think that this is yet another hybrid of karwinskii x involucrata. Whatever it is, it is a great Salvia, if you have enough space to grow it! The stems are purple and slighly hairy, and when rubbed, have a scent of lemon. Currently, in early April 2006, this is offering lots of colour in my greenhouse. I wish I could remember where I obtained this plant from, then I could investigate further. Easily propagated from cuttings. Salvia ranzaniana Until recently, this Japanese Salvia has been un-known in Europe, and I must thank Yoji, from Japan, for sending me seeds of this tiny, but delightful species. My plant is only 4 inches tall, with tiny white flowers, and is what I would suggest is a collector's item. I have seen pictures of S. ranzaniana with pale blue flowers, so it is probably a variable species. I cannot give any advice on its hardiness, but I would imagine that it would survive most winters in the UK, since Japan has plentiful rainfall all year, and frequent frosts. I am just treating this little gem with care, currently, in a small pot in the greenhouse. It seems susceptible to mildew. Salvia splendens 'Uli' This is yet another form of S. splendens, which was collected from seed in Bolivia, by my German friend, Uli, who I have cheekily named this plant after. This is a truly spectacular form, not as tall as the species described on page 8, but this one is more bushy and grows to 3 ft x 3ft. From seed it flowers within 4 months. The long inforescences tend to curl in shape, which gives an added attraction. Although it is a perennial, it is best grown as an annual, since seeds come true. The flowers are a bright scarlet colour, but I feel sure that colour variations could appear. (By the way, this IS different from S. Van Houttei.) Salvia 'Louis Saso' This photograph, taken by Peter Vidgeon, is a close-up of the flowers of S. 'Louis Saso', taken from a cutting of the plant shown on page 5. It is obvious that the inforescence is more congested than that of page 5. Perhaps climatic conditions have caused this variation. Whatever has caused the difference, my 'Louis Saso' is just fabulous. Obviously closely related to S. iodantha, and possibly to S. purpurea and S. tubifera (If this really exists!!!). Interesting, yet again, that hybrids can perform better than the species! Easily propagated from cuttings. Salvia involucrata 'Strange Seedling' I am sorry that I have not supplied a photo with flowers. Although I usually propagate all forms of S. involucrata from cuttings, sometimes I collect seeds. Twice, seeds have germinated and this plant has resulted. Foliage like S. spathacea (why???....can these two hybridise?...doubtful).. Two winters ago, this "plant" flowered, only 12 inches tall, but huge infloresences, more like S. puberula or even S. wagneriana.....but unlikely to be either. It seems to be a difficult and temperamental plant, but I would love to hear from anyone who has had similar experiences. It seems that S. involucrata hybridises with S. microphylla.... e.g 'Joan' and 'Mulberry Jam'. Salvia jurisicii This is a very pretty Salvia from Serbia, Albania, and Bulgaria. It is hardy in the UK provided it it does not get waterlogged. Flower colour varies, it is usually pale blue, but there are pink and white forms occasionally seen. The leaves are extremely pinnate. This Salvia is happy in a raised bed or a rockery, as it tolerates dry conditions. An interesting plant as the flowers are "upside-down" compared with most Salvias. Best propagated from seed, worth collecting a few in case plants perish during winter. Photo courtesy of Pat Anderson. Salvia squalens 'Pink Form' This is a pink-flowered form of S. squalens, previously described on page 2. It is more upright than the orange-flowered one, and flowers in late winter, a couple of months later. The flowers are a dusky shade of pink, and do not seem to open properly. This close-up picture would indicate that this a very attractive Salvia, but this is not really the case as the flowers are only noticeable when in close proximity to the plant. The foliage is extremely sticky, and has a faintly unpleasant odour. It should set a few seeds, otherwise it can be propagated from cuttings. Salvia 'Anthony Parker' This is a hybrid of Salvia leucantha and probably Salvia elegans. It can grow into a large bush 5ft x 5ft. and has long stems of deep purple flowers in late summer. From a distance it looks rather like S. 'Indigo Spires'. Unfortunately, it has not proved very successful in the UK so far, and flowers have been scarce. It should perform much better in a Mediterranean climate. It needs full sun, and regular watering. Propagation is from cuttings. This picture was taken in Corsica, and I am grateful to Judith Martel for allowing me to use her photograph. Salvia villosa This small Salvia is from Mexico. Reminiscent of some other species, this has tiny, bright blue flowers with a white mark on the lower lip.The leaves are blue-green, and are hairy. It grows only to about 1ft x 1ft, and flowers during the summer months. It requires a sunny spot with well-drained soil. S. villosa would be a good plant for a rock garden. It is not usually hardy in the UK, and can be propagated from seeds or cuttings. My thanks to Pat Anderson for this picture. Salvia gesneriflora (close up) This is a close-up picture of a flower of S. gesneriifolia, which has already been described on pages 9 and 25. This is unusual as the inside of the lower lip is pink, whereas this is scarlet on most forms. Whichever form is grown, S. gesneriifolia is always spectacular, and is one of the most trouble-free and reliable winter-flowering Salvias for the greenhouse. The only problem is that it grows too large, and needs regular pruning.

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