Salvia Gallery
Page 37
Salvia californica
|
This is a rarely seen Salvia from the state of Baja California in Mexico. It is not available in Europe, and would probably not thrive there.
It has been commonly named as Salvia China, probably because of the China or sky-blue colour of the flowers. In its natural habitat, it can grow
as a woody shrub up to 8 ft. tall, and flowers on and off throughout the year. The leaves are a light lime-green, with white hairs. It would seem
to thrive in a hot and dry area. This picture was kindly supplied by Xenomorf, from the Dave's Garden Site. I hope to see this beautiful Salvia one day..
|
Salvia splendens 'Sangria'
|
Yet another dwarf form of Salvia splendens of which Christian has expressed his distaste for in his wonderful new book. I rather like this one,
the flowers are a lovely shade of scarlet, with greeny-white bracts. Still wondering how it was given the name of 'Sangria'. Just three plants in
a smallish tub will look beautiful throughout summer, but dead-heading is required, and a regular all-purpose feed is helpful. This lovely picture
was sent to me by Rolando Uria, from Argentina. I currently have small seedlings, which I hope will flower in a few weeks from now.
|
Salvia hirsuta
|
This Mexican Salvia is not, to my knowledge, in cultivation in Europe. All I know is that it is a very attractive annual species, with very small flowers.
The whole plant is covered in silky hairs, hence the name "hirsuta". Being an annual, it probably sets lots of seeds, which have yet to reach the UK.
This could be an interesting plant, though probably just for collectors. The photograph was taken by Pedro Tenorio Lezama, from the Conabio website.
There are so many Salvias in Mexico which are considered as weeds, but collectors world-wide would be so interested to give them a try!
|
Salvia coccinea 'Forest Fire'
|
Another cultivar of Salvia coccinea, but this is a superb form. The flowers are a brilliant red, with reddish-black calyces. This form is naturally branching,
though gentle pinching-out would be advantageous. It seems to be 99% true from seed, and attains a height and width of about 18 inches. Dead-heading is recommended
to encourage a long flowering season. So many forms of S. coccinea are now available, but this is one of the best. Photo kindly supplied by my friend, Rolando Uria,
from Buenos Aires.
|
Salvia collinsii
|
This Salvia was recently discovered on a plant-hunting trip to Mexico, and was found in the Chiapas area. I was lucky to receive some seeds, but I am unable
to get enthusiastic about this species. I sowed the seeds in March, the one seedling which I kept grew into a monster, 7 ft. tall and flowered throughout
winter, in the greenhouse. It is not happy here, but there have been lots of tiny white/lilac flowers. I understand that this a variable species. I am very
pleased to have had an acquaintance with this Salvia, but I cannot honestly recommend it.
|
Salvia caymanensis
|
Although this is likely to be a rather weedy annual species, I am thrilled to have this Salvia, as it was thought to be extinct until last year, 2007, when
it was accidentally found in a garden in the Cayman Islands, from where it originates. Awards of $1,000 dollars were offered if anybody on these islands
found the plant, sure enough, it was found! I was kindly sent seeds by Dr. Scott Zona, from Florida, who received seeds from the Caymans. Still waiting
for my rampant seedling to flower, this picture is from my dear friend, Annette Wright, in Australia, whose seeds flowered within 10 weeks of sowing.
|
Salvia from China... unknown
|
Another unknown Chinese Salvia....could be a hybrid...or a new species. The flowers vaguely resemble those of S. brevilabra, shown on page 30, but they
are more purple than red, and more spotted. The foliage is grey/green and the leaves are triangular, unlike the lime-green ovate foliage of S. brevilabra.
I was given seeds of this Salvia in California 3 years ago. It has proved to be completely hardy, and is an unusually compact plant for a Chinese Salvia.
The flowering stems are erect, however, the flowering season is short. As with all Oriental Salvias, protection from gastropods is essential. It is quite
different from S. dolichantha and S. przewalskii.
|
Salvia sclareoides
|
There is some confusion about this hardy Spanish species, which is commonly found in the west of the Iberian peninsula. It has been described as a distinct
species, but it is also thought to be a form of Salvia pratensis, which is found throughout Europe. It is supposed to have violet-coloured flowers, but
this photo, from Annette Wright, indicates a true blue colour. This is a hardy perennial 3 ft. x 3 ft. and a lovely plant. Of course, it may well be variable,
and I will update if I can gather further information. European Salvias are so confused....this will add to the confusion!
|
Salvia chionopeplica
|
This a rather superb Salvia, which is found in the Mexican state of Baja California, along with S. californica, described also on this page.
This is a stunning Salvia, but it can only be grown in hot and sunny conditions. It will grow to 3 ft. tall and can spread a lot more. Probably
a hopeless proposition to consider in the UK. It has large violet-blue flowers. The name chionopeplica suggests a white tunic or robe, as the whole
plant is covered with short, white hairs. I am very grateful to Frank Sovich for allowing me to show his photograph.
|
Salvia 'Carl Nielson'
|
I am slightly annoyed, as I cannot locate a correct spelling for this hybrid, allegedly of S. mohavensis (see page 22/25) and S. clevelandii
(see page 1). I have seen it spelt as Nielson, Nielsen. Neilson, etc!!! Carl Nielsen was a famous Danish composer, but I have not found any links.
Whatever or however it should be named, this is undoubtedly a superb hybrid, again unlikely to thrive in the UK, should it ever find its way here.
The resemblance to S. clevelandii is more evident than to that of S. mohavensis. My thanks to Frank Sovich for the photograph.
|
Salvia fluviatilis
|
Some mystery surrounds this strange Salvia, which was seen at the Ethno Botanical Gardens at Cuernavaca in Mexico last year. It is possible that
it may be a small-flowering from of Salvia mexicana. It certainly grew into a very large plant, and a resemblance to mexicana was noticed.
Naturally got frosted before flowering here! But cuttings flowered in winter under glass....the flowers were very small, and the plant was a
disappointment. (It was originally thought to be a form of S. chapalensis.) Christian Froissart has investigated this, and S. fluviatilis is his conclusion.
|
Salvia uruapana
|
This is a newly discovered annual species from the Taxco and Michoacan areas of Mexico. The flowers are small, but a delightful pale blue colour.
It flowers in Autumn, for a short period. It is a very fast-growing species in its natural habitat, I cannot suggest how it will perform in the UK, but
being an annual, it should be quite easy. There are lots of annual Salvias in Mexico, all considered as weeds there, but they need to be tried and
tested here. Photo courtesy of Christian Froissart.
|
|
