Salvia Gallery Page 6 Salvia keerlii Pale blue flowers, tinged with white, this is an attractive shrub from Mexico, related to S. melissodora. The foliage is very fragrant, and like S. melissodora, smells of grapes. It is a tender plant, and will flower sporadically all year round. It cannot be regarded as spectacular...certainly not here...it flowers when it feels like it. So far, my plant has only grown to 2ft. x 2ft., and might prove to be a better plant in the UK than the rampant S. melissodora. Currently in early June, it has masses of flower buds. Salvia holwayi A truly remarkable species from Guatemala, this is a tender perennial which would be ideal for a hanging basket in a frost-free environment. Many inflorescences appear along each floppy stem. Flowering, under glass, commences here in November, and continues until March. In its natural habitat, long stems will root, but here propagation must be from easily-rooted cuttings. This is one of the best winter-flowering species. Salvia patens 'Large Form' This is not S. patens 'Guanajuato'. It is an altogether superior form which I bought from a nursery in Holland. Unlike 'Guanajuato'...which can be erratic where flowering is concerned..this is a beauty. Huge royal blue flowers smother the plant all through summer. In full bloom, this is one of the most spectacular of all salvias...assuming that blue is your favourite colour! Does not mind where it grows, though I think that partial shade is preferable. Flowering from early June until frost, it can be propagated from cuttings, or plentiful seed. Grows up to 5ft. x 3ft. Salvia semiatrata From Southern Mexico, this tender shrub, with bright green deltoid foliage will flower here from mid-summer until frost. It is a thirsty plant in summer, and is best positioned in a sunny spot. The upper lip is deep blue and the lower lips is lavender/white. This makes a striking contrast to the deep pink calyx. Widely grown in the French and Italian Rivieras, this is a delightful salvia for a large container. It will grow 4ft. x 3ft. here. Summer cuttings can be taken for overwintering in a greenhouse, where they should be kept fairly dry until spring. Salvia carnea Found in the Valle de Bravo region of Mexico, this is a pretty shrub with long stems of tiny pink flowers. It is new to the UK, and would not appear to be hardy. Last year it grew 4ft. x 3ft. and was in flower continuously. It also flowered well throughout winter indoors. It is easily propagated from cuttings, and it did set a few seeds. Another good salvia for a large container, rather than a mixed border, as the small flowering stems could get lost amongst larger-flowering plants. It seems to prefer sunny conditions, with regular watering in summer. Salvia sinaloensis From Sinaloa in Mexico, this compact, and tender perennial is a lovely salvia for a small container. A few garden centres are selling this plant, albeit with an additional name, presumably for customer attraction. The dark leaves have a purplish tinge, and the undersides are almost red in colour. The plentiful small flowers are a bright, deep blue. This will flower from mid-summer until frost, and requires regular watering. It also seems to prefer an acidic, peaty soil. I have had excellent results growing it in ericaceous compost. Over-wintered cuttings must be kept dry, or the young plants will die. Look for seed, as it does set a few. A nice change from compact lobelia! Salvia taraxacifolia (Dandelion leaved Sage) From the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, this is a dainty, small salvia, with large, pink flowers. It is a tender perennial here, as it cannot withstand wet winters, though it might survive over-winter in a well-drained rockery. It has a basal rosette of leaves (which do not really resemble those of dandelions...), and the flowering stems are about 1ft. tall. Propagation can be by division or by plentiful seed. Cutting material is not readily available. Seed sown in late winter will produce flowering plants by August. A sunny spot is recommended. Salvia 'Waverly' This is thought to be a hybrid of S. leucantha and S. chiapensis discovered in California. I can easily see the resemblance to S. leucantha, but I am not sure where S. chiapensis comes in. But I will go along with the experts. This is a brilliant introduction, with large, furry white flowers tinged with pink. A late-flowering salvia, it is at its best from September onwards, though over-wintered cuttings will flower in spring. A sterile plant, propagation must be from cuttings. A rapid grower up to 5ft. There is an even better hybrid with similar parentage called 'Phyllis Fancy' in which the white flowers are tinged with pale blue. Salvia candelabrum Sometimes confused with S. ringens and S. interrupta, this Spanish species is quite spectacular when in full bloom. Large violet/purple flowers are arranged in a candelabra-like form, on elongated stems up to 4ft. long, however, it can be somewhat untidy. The basal foliage is highly aromatic, and can be distinguished from its close relatives as the leaves are not pinnate. It flowers all summer, and seems perfectly hardy here, though cuttings and seed can be obtained easily. Quite rare in the UK, this species deserves to be more well-known. Propagation is by seed or cuttings. Salvia dorrii It is doubtful if we will ever be able to get this evergreen shrub from California to flower in the UK. A hot, sunny, dry spring is essential, as for S. clevelandii and S. pachyphylla. This is a very variable species in its native habitat, growing up to 3ft. The combination of colours of the corolla and calyx is beautiful. Silver-coloured leaves add to the beauty of this species, but I fear that our climate will not allow us to see this. Visit California in spring! Photo courtesy of Michael Charters. Salvia fulgens From the Puebla region of Mexico, Salvia fulgens is a variable tender perennial. It grows very well in a British climate, flowering from July until November. The large, scarlet flowers are covered in dense, soft hairs, creating a marvellous velvety appearance. A brittle plant, it is best situated in a sheltered spot, either in full sun or part-shade, and it needs regular deep-watering. Will occasionally resprout in spring, but over-wintered cuttings will produce plants which will flower from late June. In full bloom, this salvia is most impressive. Up to 5ft. x 3ft., this deserves to be more-widely grown. Closely related to the larger, winter-flowering S. gesneriiflora. Salvia guaranitica with humming bird I downloaded this beautiful picture from another website, and I cannot remember from where. The salvia is no doubt a guaranitica or mexicana (there are so many forms). If there is a copyright issue with this picture, let me know, and I will delete it...or credit it...as required. No need for further description...just wish that we could have hummingbirds in the UK to pollinate our salvias, and also to watch the delightful creatures going about their business. I have admired hummers in California, the Caribbean, and in Ecuador, they are exquisite.

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