Salvia Gallery
Page 29
Salvia chudaei
|
This photograph is by kind permission of Nadia at http://www.sahara-nature.com , a web-site worth visiting, especially if you speak French.
Salvia chudaei is not available anywhere in Europe, to my knowledge. It is endemic to the central Sahara Desert in Southern Algeria,
where there is considerable rainfall as this area is affected by monsoon rains from Sudan. The plant grows up to about 18 inches,
and the spotted pale blue flowers emerge from a hairy calyx. The leaves are long and narrow, almost oblong, and the plant is used
medicinally, and for flavouring drinks, and for perfume. I have no further information regarding this Salvia, maybe some seeds will
find their way into the UK eventually.
|
Salvia trijuga
Common form
|
Salvia trijuga was described on page 23, and the picture there was of a mauve/violet form. This purple one is more common in cultivation.
The flowers are a remarkable colour, as this photograph indicates. Unlike many Chinese species, this has a long flowering period, if it
is regularly dead-headed, though it is worth saving some seeds, as it can easily rot in wet winters. Best grown in groups of 5 or so,
as a single plant might go un-noticed. It seems to thrive in a semi-shaded, moist position, especially this year, as it has not seemed
happy in the blazing sunshine and heat.
|
Salvia aurita
|
You might see my comments on page 18 regarding S. aurita var. galpinii. This might be, at last, the real Salvia aurita, from South Africa.
It is quite different from var. galpinii, and is altogether a nicer plant, if hardly spectacular. It is also different from S. repens and
S. scabra, which it is sometimes confused with. It grows to about 18 inches, and the flowers are much larger than those of the
above-mentioned species. The flowers are white at first, but on their second day display a definite blue tinge. I do hope that
this is not a hybrid! It is setting seed. Probably is hardy, and happy in a sunny spot.
|
Salvia arizonica
|
Salvia arizonica is a native of Arizona and New Mexico, but it is closely related to Salvia forreri, and others from Mexico. This is
easily distinguished from its relatives by the triangular, serrated foliage. The small, but plentiful, flowers are mid-blue. It is also
more vigorous, rapidly growing to 2 ft. tall, and spreading via underground runners to about 4 ft. and more. Generally hardy, but seeds
and cuttings can be taken as a precaution. Dormant in winter, it can also easily be propagated from underground shoots. There is an
excellent picture of this Salvia on the front cover of Betsy Clebsch's first book, taken by Ginny Hunt.
|
Salvia nilotica
|
This is one of my least favourite Salvias, as I find it rather weedy and unattractive. However, I should include it for the benefit of
interested collectors. This is endemic to a large part of East Africa, from Ethiopia to Zimbabwe. Oddly enough, it is totally hardy in
Northern Europe, and can seed all over the place. It flowers throughout summer, but the tiny purple flowers are somewhat insignificant.
It will thrive in a sunny spot, and is drought-resistant, though occasional watering will encourage more flowers, as long as it is
regularly dead-headed. It will grow to 3 ft x 3 ft. Propagation is from seed.
|
Salvia huberi
|
This is another rare species from Turkey. A rather gangly plant, with pinnatisect leaves, this has interesting white flowers, with pink
markings. It is possible that my plant might be a hybrid, as Professor Alziar has described this species as having purple flowers. It
seems to thrive in a hot and sunny area, with well-drained, gritty soil. I expect that it will set seed, which will, like many Turkish
species, be slow and erratic regarding germination. The foliage is quite similar to that of S. hydrangea, which, unfortunately, is
not looking too healthy at the moment. The plant is flowering at a height of 1 ft. and I don't think it will grow much taller.
|
Salvia farinacea
'Evolution'
|
Salvia farinacea 'Strata' was described on page 16 on this site. This is a new introduction. The plant is very compact 1 ft x 1 ft, and
very floriferous. The flowers have been described as violet in colour, but I would think that purple is a better description. I have
noticed that aphids are attracted to this Salvia, but weather conditions this summer (2006) are causing strange, and annoying things
to happen. Grown en masse, this could be an excellent bedding plant. Seeds are produced prolifically, but there is no guarantee that
they will come true......but, most seeds of the S. farinacea types do.
|
Salvia Sp. from Pichincha
(Ecuador)
|
This photo is from another website, which I cannot find, so apologies to all concerned if I have used this photo without permission.
I really have no idea what this Salvia is, S. sagittata was a thought, but the foliage is completely different. It does appear to be
something rather special. If anyone has any ideas, please email me. There are so many Salvias in Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, which are
still not in cultivation. This would appear to be one of them. This is probably a new species called Salvia sigchosica.
|
Salvia moorcroftiana
|
This Salvia is commonly found in regions of the Western Himalayas, particularly in Kashmir. It does resemble Salvia sclarea. It is a hardy
perennial in the UK, and flowers in early summer, though my plant has just started to flower in September, probably due to the strange climatic
conditions this year. It will grow to about 3 ft. tall, and the large basal leaves, which are silvery-green, compliment the large inflorescence
of pale lilac flowers. This Salvia is happy in a sunny situation, and is easily propagated from seeds, which are readily produced. Slugs and
snails are particularly attracted to this attractive Salvia.
|
Salvia japonica
|
This Salvia is rarely seen in Europe. It is endemic to Japan, and also parts of China and Korea. The small flowers are a very nice shade of pale blue,
though there are also white and lilac forms. The plant forms a clump of pinnate foliage, about 1 ft. wide, and the flowering stems, in late summer,
rise to about 18 inches above the leaves. I have not discovered an ideal situation for this plant, but would suggest that it would be most happy in
a warm, humid position. It does not seem to like too much direct sunshine. Regular watering seems essential in summer. It can be propagated by seed,
possibly from cuttings. Probably not hardy in the UK.
|
Salvia 'Valerie'
|
This is a cultivar raised by the British botanist, William Dyson, who is the curator of the wonderful garden at Great Comp, in Kent,
in the South-East of England. This came from a seed of Salvia 'Christine Yeo', described on page 11 on this site. The form and growth
of this plant are just like that of its parent. However, the flowers are the most exquisite lavender-blue colour. This could be an
exciting new introduction. This should be a very hardy shrub, but should be pruned in spring to encourage a tidy form. It will set seeds,
but propagation must be from cuttings, as seedlings could produce plants with different coloured flowers.(Might be worth playing around with?)
|
Salvia prattii
|
Not much is known about this Salvia which comes from the Sichuan and Qinghai regions of China. It is possible that this is
something else. This Salvia has been confused with S. hians and S. souliei. Whatever it is, it is a very attractive small plant
with lovely blue flowers, flowering here for most of the summer. It grows to about 18 inches, and has an interesting name! As is
normal with Chinese Salvias, regular watering and good drainage is required in summer. This should set plentiful seed, but
being new to the UK, it is still in an experimental stage.
|
|
