Salvia Gallery
Page 36
Salvia involucrata
'Pink Icicles'
|
Various forms of Salvia involucrata have been shown on previous pages, but this is an exciting introduction which was discovered in Australia.
The flowers are a very pale pink, and this is apparently a superb form, which has been described as "possibly the best involucrata."
In a warm climate it will flower all year, and reaches a height of 5-6 ft. Not yet available outside Australia. I am constantly amazed
that there are so many new cultivars in Australia......which is a continent where there are no endemic Salvias. Seeds are unlikely to come
true....but anything is possible. Photo courtesy of Annette Wright.
|
Salvia sagittata ?
|
The beautiful Salvia sagittata was shown on page 4. This appears to be a completely different form. As this is found in Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru,
there are likely to be variations. This differs from the more-widely known form in that the leaves are much more sword-shaped, (sagittate). Also,
unlike the usual form, the leaves are grey-green, intsead of lime-green, and the stems are not sticky. A huge bonus is that the flowers are almost 2
inches long. The plant grows very quickly and could reach a height of several feet. It seems to cope with a British winter under glass better than
its relatives. I do wonder if this could possibly be a hybrid with S. macrophylla, shown on pages 3 and 30, the flowers are so alike.
|
Salvia nervosa
|
This rather small Salvia is found occasionally, growing wild in parts of Northern Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. The flowers are small, and can be white,
or pale blue. The leaves are long and narrow, and slightly serrated. It has recently been re-discovered by Prof. German Roitman. Not available yet in the UK,
so I cannot comment on how it should be cultivated. I feel that this would be more of a collector's item, rather than a garden-worthy plant. But I hope to
try it out soon. Picture kindly supplied by Rolando Uria, from the university of Buenos Aires.
|
Salvia from Taxco, Mexico
|
First impressions can cause experts to wonder whether this is a Salvia or not. But it is, though still awaiting identification. It was recently discovered in the
Taxco region of Mexico, where it could easily have gone un-noticed due to its very small flowers and scandent growth. It could be a previously unidentified species.
Herbarium visits have linked it with Salvia helianthemifolia and Salvia guadalajarensis, but there are differences. Flowers are a very pale pink, and the flowering
stems can be 2 ft. long. Observations from my plant indicate that it could be rampant. Unusual oblong leaves, a bit like S. penstemonoides, on long, wiry stems.
Definitely frost-tender.
|
Salvia stachydifolia
|
Debates are still taking place as to the correct identification of some Argentinian Salvias. This beautiful picture, kindly supplied by Rolando Uria, is allegedly
Salvia stachydifolia, from Argentina. I have shown what we, in the UK, have as S. stachydifolia on page 4. My stachydifolia is completely different! There is
great confusion concerning S. stachydifolia, S. meyeri, and S. rhinosina. Two more Argentinian Salvias could add to this confusion! So, dear readers, just
enjoy the picture for the time being! Hopefully, I may be able to provide updates.....when the Botanists arrive at an agreeable conclusion.
|
Salvia littae - upright form
|
Salvia littae was described on page 21. A recent expedition to Mexico proved that this is a very variable species. I have found S. littae to be rather straggly
and untidy in its habit, though always stunningly beautiful. This form remains upright, and does not require staking. The flowers are a paler shade of pink.
Flowering-time is late Autumn/early Winter, under glass here. This has been a spectacular Salvia, resembling S. iodantha, and S. curviflora, shown on page 34.
It has not set any seeds, but cuttings are easily rooted. This could be a superb plant for a heated conservatory.
|
Salvia forreri 'Karen Dyson'
|
The incredibly pretty Salvia forreri was shown on page 14. This new form with beautiful pink flowers was a chance seedling found in the garden belonging
to William Dyson, a plantsman and Salvia specialist in the UK. It may not be quite as floriferous as the usual type, which is blue, but a warm and sunny
position should encourage flowering for several months. My plant is currently dormant, but I hope to see new shoots in Spring. S. forreri does set seed,
but I suspect that seeds from this lovely pink form may not come true. Propagation will be successful from underground runners in early Summer. A beautiful
plant for a rockery.
|
Salvia Desley 'Lachlan'
|
This incredibly beautiful hybrid/cultivar originated in Australia, and is thought to be a cross of S. 'Black Knight' and S.' Van Houttei'. I find this hard
to believe, since neither of these plants set seed here. But in Australia, anything is possible! Salvia splendens is obviously involved. Huge purple/violet
flowers on a plant reaching 5 ft in a short time. Humidity and partial shade are essential. I do not know from where the peculiar name of 'Desley' originated,
but Annette Wright, Salvia expert from Northern Queensland, Australia, named this hybrid/cultivar for her lovely son, Lachlan. My thanks to Annette for
permission to show her picture.
|
Salvia decumbens
|
One of the world's rarest Salvias, this has only been found growing in the Barahona Peninsula in the Dominican Republic. The plant is trailing, with grey-green
leaves, but the flowering stems reach up to 3 ft., with large purple flowers, which have widely gaping lips. The foliage seems to resemble that of some South
African species, which is strange, as Salvia decumbens seems to require a very warm and humid environment. It flowers, somewhat erratically, for most of the
year, in its tropical home. I hope to receive seeds of this lovely plant, and will hope that it may adapt to the crazy UK climate, as some Mexican species
have done. Photo was kindly sent to me by Dr. Scott Zona.
|
Salvia coccinea 'Sugar Queen'
|
So many forms of Salvia coccinea, some have been shown already on this site. This is yet another Australian discovery.....thanks to Annette Wright for the
picture.....which appears to be quite stunning! Pink, purple, and white all on the same flower. I really don't know how all these different forms originate.
Last year I was sent seeds of the new lavender form of S. coccinea, and the results were not good. A weedy plant here, and very few flowers. I sincerely
hope that 'Sugar Queen' will give a better performance. This could be a delightful introduction. I am beginning to realise that all the coccineas like a
rich soil, with some fertiliser. But they perform differently every year, due to varying weather conditions.
|
Salvia pallida
|
Yet another, possibly confused species from Argentina. The flower looks very beautiful, but I understand that the flowers are very small. This has,
I believe, been muddled with Salvia rypara. I have read that this is considered to be a weedy species, which is also found in Southern Brazil and
Uruguay. Not much is known about this species, other than the name "pallida" means "pale". There is another Salvia known as S. uruguayensis which
is considered to be a synonym. I have received seeds from Rolando Uria, who I thank for the photo, and I hope to see for myself what Salvia pallida
will be like. Hope it is not like S. rypara!
|
Salvia 'Southern Belle'
|
Two Salvias, S. recognita from Turkey, and S. officinalis from the Mediterranean have decided to hybridise in New Zealand!!! The result is this
rather outstanding hybrid which has been named 'Southern Belle'! The flowers are large, and plentiful, and it seems, at this early stage, that the
flowering period will be prolonged, unlike that of the parents. This could be a very exciting introduction, which should be hardy in the UK, if not
water-logged. Salvia recognita is always stunning, but a nightmare to over-winter. My plant is still flowering in the greenhouse in early February,
2008. I believe that this superb Salvia was bred by Geoff Genge, Salvia expert in New Zealand.
|
|
