Salvia Gallery
Page 27
Salvia pratensis
'Royal Distinction'
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There are many forms of Salvia pratensis, one of which is described on page 8. This is a new form, which I believe originated in France.
Slightly smaller than some other cultivars, this will not grow more than 2 ft. tall. The 12 inch flowering stems are covered with small
pink-purple flowers in June. It may set seed, but propagation should be by division to be sure of having an identical plant. Totally
hardy, happy in a sunny spot. It is best given some protection from slugs and snails. Dead-heading might well encourage the plant to
flower again in late summer.
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Salvia forskaohlei
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Widely found in South-East Europe and Turkey, this is a handsome, hardy perennial Salvia. The large violet and white flowers appear in
early summer, and will continue until early Autumn, if regular dead-heading takes place. The large, basal leaves form a large clump up
to 3 ft. across, the same height as the plant. It is attractive to slugs and snails. Happy in ordinary soil, in a sunny spot. Propagation
is usually by seed, and seedlings are often found near the original plant. There is a pure white form also, but I have yet to see
this flower. The spelling of the name of this species can vary.
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Salvia chiennii (foliage)
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A picture of the small flowers of this Chinese species is shown on page 22. Having only recently acquired this plant, I am very
attracted to the beautiful foliage, hence this additional picture. The undersides of the leaves are a deep purple colour, rather
like those of Salvia omeiana. I am hoping that my plant will flower later this year, even if the flowers seem to be insignificant,
as shown on the previous photo. Nevertheless, it makes a great foliage plant.
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Salvia x jamensis
'Peter Vidgeon'
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Every year I always sow a few seeds from the greggii/microphylla/x jamensis Salvias, in case an interesting new cultivar is to be found.
This young plant was from a seed of S. x jamensis 'Trebah', which is white with a hint of lavender. The flowers on this new cultivar are
a stunning shade of lilac/lavender, with no white markings. The flowers are larger than those of its parent, and it seems to be a
vigorous grower. I have already taken cuttings. I am currently naming it after Peter Vidgeon, who has been responsible for taking most
of the photos on this site. (Other seedlings have yet to flower, those that have, were discarded as they offered nothing new.)
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Salvia aurea 'Kirstenbosch'
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Salvia aurea (syn. africana-lutea) has been already described on page 24. This form is far superior in that it flowers regularly each
year, whereas the original form is reluctant to do so. An attractive shrub, 3 ft. x 3 ft, the silver leaves are highly aromatic. The
large flowers are a dirty yellow colour, quickly turning into an unusual golden-brown. The green calyces turn into an attractive
shade of red. I grow this in a large pot, and keep it fairly dry during winter. It will probably withstand slight frosts. Full
sunshine and some watering in spring encourages it to flower sporadically throughout summer. Propagation is best from cuttings.
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Salvia argentea
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From Southern Europe and North-West Africa, this Salvia is justly popular in the UK, mainly on account of its unusual foliage.
The beautiful, large leaves are covered with long silvery hairs. It is usually grown as a biennial, and having formed a large
clump of foliage in the first year, it will die back during winter. Foliage will re-appear the following spring, provided the
area is free of snails and slugs, followed by a 3-4 ft. inflorescence. The flowers are large, and are white with purple specks
on the upper lip. The flowering stem should be cut back after flowering to encourage survival for another year. Very hardy, S.
argentea appreciates a sunny, well-drained spot. It is closely related to S. aethopis.
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Salvia 'Mystic Spires'
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There has been a lot of hype about this new introduction from the USA. It is, apparently, a dwarf form of S. 'Indigo Spires', described
on page 5. It is now available in Europe. It is supposed to grow to no more than 2 ft. x 2 ft. My plant is bushing out nicely,
but it is too early to tell just how large it will get. A smaller 'Indigo Spires' will be a valuable addition to the border.
Flowers seem exactly the same as 'Indigo'. I am not convinced that it will not revert to its original size next year. I hope I
will be proved wrong. Probably fairly hardy and also sterile, so propagation must be from cuttings.
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Salvia puberula
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This was photographed last September in California. It would appear to be the same as the Sp. from Ventnor Botanical Gardens which
I have shown on page 14. It is from Mexico, and is closely related to S. involucrata, but it will not flower until Autumn in the UK,
and then only after a hot summer. A confused species, some people think that it is not a separate species at all, just a form of
involucrata. The leaves are lime-green, distinct from S.involucrata. It will grow up to 5 ft. tall here, but is not winter-hardy.
In Australia, there are several forms of this, and hybrids with involucrata, and also S. karwinskii. Plenty of warmth and water
are needed. Propagate from cuttings.
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Salvia omerocalyx
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This Japanese Salvia is not available in Europe to my knowledge. I wish it was! The picture, taken by Yoji Saito in Japan, indicates
that it is a little gem. Probably quite a small plant, like many Japanese species. It is doubtful that it would withstand frost or
wet winters. I would suggest that it is best grown in a moist, shady area in Europe. I notice a slight resemblance in the shape of
the inflorescence to that of some Californian species, but this might just be my imagination. I hope to grow this before long.
My thanks to Yoji for allowing me to include his picture of this rare species.
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Salvia nutans
(different form)
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Salvia nutans was described on page 10, and I read that I was not so enthusiastic about it. Last year I was sent some seeds from
the USA (Joseph Despins). They germinated and only produced foliage. My immediate reaction was that this was not S. nutans as the
foliage was quite different and highly serrated. It survived the winter easily, and now is in full flower, and is much more appealing
than my original plant. The petioles are much shorter. But the 3 ft. tall, leafless stems have produced large, nodding racemes of
deep blue flowers, and more are appearing. It would seem that S. nutans does vary, it is also known to hybridise with similar
species. This is a unique Salvia, I hope that this form will have a longer flowering period. It appears to be setting seed,
and must be grown in a seriously well-drained area.
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Salvia hydrangea (foliage)
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This is one of the world's rarest Salvias, and is seen in Iran and Armenia, occasionally Turkey. On four occasions I have been
offered seeds. Twice they were of S. cyanescens, and the other seeds were not even a Salvia. On the 4th occasion, just one seed
germinated, and now I believe I have the real S. hydrangea. These seeds were collected in Iran by Jim and Jenny Archibald. The
lime-green leaves are pinnatisect. It seems to be very fragile here, so I am keeping it in a small pot in the greenhouse, maximum
heat and minimum water. I doubt if it will ever flower here, but I live in hope. A good picture can be seen in Volume 2
of "Perennials" by Phillips and Rix.
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Salvia chamelaeagnea
x S. scabra
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This photo was kindly sent to me by New Zealand's Salvia expert, Geoff Genge. This plant was found in the Botanical Gardens in
Auckland, and is a hybrid of two of the most attractive South African species, which I have shown on pages 14 and 13 on this site.
This sounds like a very exciting introduction. Whether it will ever find its way into the UK is doubtful, as propagation would have
to be from cuttings. S. scabra always sets viable seed here, whereas S. chamelaeagnea rarely does. Many Salvia experts are not
interested in hybrids, they prefer to cultivate the species. I (not being an expert) am open-minded. This hybrid has been named 'African Sky'
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