Salvia Gallery
Page 32
Salvia lutescens
var.crenata
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This is a little Japanese Salvia, with pale blue/white flowers. It is unlikely to grow more than about 12 inches tall here. The small flowers
are a delicate shade of pale blue, and it should flower in late summer. This Salvia is not currently in cultiivation in the UK. In Japan, there
are numerous endemic Salvias, but even in that country there seems to be some confusion. S.lutescens var. crenata gets confused with forms of S.
japonica and S. omerocalyx. There is a strong possibility of hybridisation amongst Japanese species. All are late-summer flowering, they like
warmth and shade. Photo courtesy of Yoji Saito.
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Salvia chamaedryoides
'Marine Blue'
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This Salvia has not lived up to its reputation! In California and Australia, this has been described as a superb form of S. chamaedryoides.
I was thrilled to receive seeds of this 3 years ago, and I have to say, unfortunately, that it was a waste of time in the UK. Flowers are
supposed to be twice as large as those of the normal S. chamaedryoides (shown on page 12), but here it was very reluctant to flower, and I
could not see any improvement from the species. Photos on the web indicate otherwise. I seriously suspect that this is a hybrid. I have not
grown it for 2 years. Photo from Yoji Saito.
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Salvia compacta
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This is another Mexican Salvia which is very similar to others which I have already shown on this site. This one is only about 2 ft. tall, and
winter-flowering. The minute flowers are mid-blue, and the name "compacta" seems appropriate. I would suggest that this is very closely related
to Salvia polystachya or Salvia xalapensis, but the difference is that this plant is upright, whereas the others are sprawling. There are
hundreds of small blue flowers at the top of each stem. Christine Yeo gave me this plant, and neither of us are sure what it really is, but
both of us like it immensely. Does not seem inclined to set seed.
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Salvia from Guatemala
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This lovely Salvia was discovered in Guatemala by the owners of Crug Farm Plants, North Wales, a few years ago. It is yet to be
identified.......of course it may be a hybrid.... as it has never set seed here, to my knowledge. It is a tall, rather leggy plant,
which requires some support. It flowers in mid-winter, and just about survives in my greenhouse. Flowers are plentiful, if short-lived.
I do wonder if Salvia mexicana is involved somewhere. Whatever it is, I like it very much, and it is a truly reliable Salvia to provide
colour in winter, in the greenhouse.
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Salvia fruticosa
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This Salvia is a very common species, and is widespread in Southern Europe, the Middle East, and the Canary Islands. It is also known as
Salvia triloba. It is closely related to the common sage, Salvia officinalis. It is also quite variable, flowers can be pale blue, pink,
or white, and the foliage also varies. It is highly aromatic, and the leaves can be used as a herb. Hardly spectacular, but it flowers
well in early summer, and is normally very hardy. It can be propagated from seeds or cuttings. Photo kindly supplied by Yoji Saito.
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Salvia glabrescens 'Pink Form'
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Yet another form of the wonderful Japanese Salvia glabrescens! This Salvia is not in cultivation in the UK, but I have received seeds from the
Japanese botanist, Yoji Saito, and I hope to grow them well next year, after a somewhat unsuccessful trial last year. Japan tends to have hot
and wet summers, which is not exactly what we experienced here this year. Hot, yes, but wet....NO! This year, I intend to grow all my Japanese
Salvias in pots, in well-drained soil. S. glabrescens seems like a real challenge.......I am up for it!
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Salvia isensis
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This is another miniature Salvia from Japan. I have recently received some seeds of this plant, from Yoji Saito, and I am also very grateful to
him for allowing me to show his photo on my site. I understand that this is a very small plant, with tiny white flowers, with a hint of pale-blue.
It is summer-flowering, and is supposed to be somewhat tender. It really does look exquisite, and I hope that I have some success with it, as I
have had with S. ranzaniana shown on page 26. It should be summer-flowering, and I guess that it will be rather tender.
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Salvia japonica
'White Form'
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This is a white-coloured form of Salvia japonica. The photo is from Yoji Saito from Japan, who obviously has a great collection of Japanese
Salvias. I am very much a novice as to how to grow Japanese Salvias in the UK climate, time will tell. I get the impression that the Japanese
Salvias are late-flowering, but the plants will survive slight frosts. They seem to be happy in moist, shaded areas. This plant looks to be
truly delightful, in a miniature way, as does S. ranzaniana, which I have shown before. My plant outside was smothered with 3 inches of snow
yesterday (08 02 07) but seems to be fine today.
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Salvia merjamie
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This Salvia is found throughout East Africa. I have to say that I find it to be somewhat weedy, and hardly garden-worthy. It is, however,
easy to grow in the UK, The flowers are pale blue, but are reluctant to bloom, somewhat cleistogamous, like S. lyrata. Easily grown from seed,
plants will flower freely in a few months. It is often considered to be a biennial, which does not make sense! Salvia merjamie, however, does
have one redeeming feature, the leaves smell strongly of mint, this is probably why some nurseries sell and name this plant as "Mint Sauce".
Hardy in well-drained soil. Photo kindly supplied by Yoji Saito.
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Salvia officinalis 'Tricolor'
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Yet another cultivar of the common sage. "Icterina" was shown on page 31.The foliage of this one has 3 different colours, namely grey-green,
pink and red. This is another great ground-cover plant, but it is not as rampant as "Icterina". Flowers might occur in early summer, and should
be a light purple colour, but this Salvia is best grown for its superb foliage. The leaves are edible as a herb, and for a refreshing tea drink.
It is fairly hardy in the UK, but a few over-wintered cuttings will ensure survival.
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Salvia splendens 'Van Houtteii'
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I displayed a rather poor picture of splendens 'Van Houttei' on page 14. This is a close-up of my plant, taken in late October, 2006. It was
truly spectacular in late summer, until it was burnt by frost. I have never found seeds from this plant here, though seeds are plentiful on
other large forms of S. splendens. I understand that seeds are found regularly in the USA from VH, and there have been many colour variations,
and variegated foliage. I will keep searching for seeds. VH is not easy to over-winter, but usually I get one plant to survive, with a little TLC.
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Salvia texana
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Salvia texana is a small Salvia which is found in dry, rocky soil, in Southern Texas. It only grows to about 15 inches. The leaves are long
and narrow, up to 2 inches long. It is unlikely to perform well in the UK. This is sad, as the flowers seem to be very attractive. Flowering
season in the USA is in early spring. This Salvia has never been available in the UK, and I have yet to find a seed source in the USA, but
would love to give it a go. I did manage to get flowers from seeds of S. funerea last year....but the plant collapsed afterwards. The
picture is courtesy of Robert Corbett.
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