Salvia Gallery Page 40 Go to PAGE number.... SELECT Index Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Salvia albimaculata (with insect) This stunning photo was kindly sent to me by Ozgur Kocak, from Turkey, where the very rare Salvia albimaculata can occasionally be found. This Salvia was described on page 5 of this site. It is not an easy Salvia to cultivate, and needs to be kept fairly dry. I thought I had lost my plant in June when I accidentally left it outside in a heavy storm, but it eventually recovered. I have never got any seeds to germinate, and have only once had success with a cutting. Salvia greggii 'Cream' Several forms of Salvia greggii have been shown on this site. This is an excellent form, and one of the first to flower, usually in mid-May. It is also very compact, without the sprawling tendencies of others. It reaches a height of 2 ft. and width of 3 ft. The cream flowers are unusual as the large lower lip appears to curl underneath itself. Drought-tolerant, and happy in sun or part shade. Propagation should be by cuttings, as seeds rarely come true. Salvia from Catamarca This, as yet unidentified, Salvia was found in the Catamarca province in north-west Argentina. It was about 4 ft. tall and wide. the flowers are fairly small, but the many congested inflorescences are responsible for an extremely attractive plant. It may prove to be hardy as it was found at a high elevation. Late summer flowering here, it should set some seeds, though cuttings strike readily. Research has recently taken place at Kew Gardens, and hopefully a correct name will soon be announced. Salvia elegans'Golden Delicious' There are numerous forms of Salvia elegans, the most frequently grown, commonly known as 'Pineapple Sage', was shown on page 16. This is a new form, probably from the USA, which, even without flowers is a great foliage plant. Flowering starts in late summer or early Autumn. The flowers are just like the normal form, but a brilliant contrast to the golden foliage. It is fast-growing, to a height of 3 ft. and needs regular watering. It should be propagated by cuttings. The leaves are fruit-scented, but not as strong as 'Pineapple Sage' or 'Tangerine Sage'. Salvia arenaria This Salvia can be found in the state of Sao Paulo in Southern Brazil. Not much is known about it yet. I received seeds last year and a March sowing has produced an attractive plant, 3 ft. x 2 ft. Flowers appeared in late summer, and after the excitement generated by the large racemes, the flowers were disappointingly small, dull scarlet, fading to pink. The undersides of the leaves are a burgundy colour. The leaves have a tendency to curl, especially in direct sunshine. Its hardiness is unknown, but cuttings root easily, and seeds are forming. Salvia microphylla 'Mauve' Yet another microphylla, but this has to be one of the darkest forms of all. Deep purple flowers with an almost black calyx make this an eye-catching Salvia. It is however, about a month later to flower than most other forms, but its slow growth and its compactness compensate for this. It does not set many seeds, and these would be unlikely to come true. Like others in this group, it is hardy and drought-tolerant, and is happy in full sun. My thanks to Rolando Uria for the photograph. Salvia patens 'Cambridge Blue' variegated I am not especially keen on variegated plants, but this seedling was variegated from the start. It could just be a virus, but the plant has flowered as well as the normal type, shown on page 10. I may not keep this plant, as I do not believe that the variegation enhances it in any way. It would have to be propagated from cuttings. Last year a seedling of Salvia fulgens had some very attractive variegation, but it did not thrive, and died after six months. Salvia patens 'White Trophy' There are not many white Salvias to be seen, but this form of Salvia patens surely has the largest white flowers of any Salvia. The colour has been described as a "dirty white", but this is only the case just before faded flowers fall. Seeds invariably come true. In the very wet, cold and cloudy summer of 2008, all forms of Salvia patens have flowered extremely well. This is not the case when we have one of our rare, hot summers in England. Salvia lanceolata...calyces The South African Salvia lanceolata was shown on page 15. It would seem that I now have two forms, one with lime-green calyces, as on page 15, and the other with dusky pink calyces, similar in colour to the flowers. Both plants are shown on this picture. I understand that pink calyces are more usual, but I find the lime-green ones very attractive. Seed production is usually sparse, but I have only found seeds in the pink calyx. The other could possibly be a hybrid, but the flowers and foliage seem identical. Salvia 'Stephanie' This Salvia was bred by the UK plantsman, William Dyson. It is a hybrid of a hybrid! One parent was S. greggii, the other S. 'Cherry Queen', which is thought to be a hybrid of S. blepharophylla and S. greggii. It is very floriferous and seems to have a compact nature. The large flowers face upwards, and are red on opening, quickly turning cerise-pink. It should be hardy. It has set a few seeds, which could result in anything....though seeds from 'Cherry Queen' invariably came true. A fabulous new introduction. Salvia confertiflora.. congested inflorescence On a recent visit to the Chelsea Physic Garden, in London, my friend Rolando Uria, noticed this unusual form of S. confertiflora, which was described on page 15. It may have just been different soil or growing conditions, but the plant was only 3 ft. tall, and the inflorescences were far more congested than on any other plant of this species that I have seen. This Salvia performs best in a sunny situation....yet this specimen was in the shade of a large tree. Curious! Salvia tomentosa.. close-up Here is a close-up of the beautiful flowers of Salvia tomentosa, which was originally shown on page 16. This Salvia has proved to be very hardy, and has flowered very well this year, 2008, since June. It has also coped very well with the recent appalling weather. It is loved by bees which are drawn to it en masse. Seed production has been excellent this year, though the calyces are very sticky, with a pungent smell.

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