Salvia Gallery Page 8 Salvia Sp. 'Silver Leaf' Unidentified as yet, this attractive salvia was found in Mexico. Similar to other species, this one has silvery hairs on the underside of the foliage. It is a compact shrub, growing 3ft x 3ft., and flowering starts in late August, lasting until frost. Although the flowers are small, there are enough of them to make this plant stand out from its other small-flowering relatives. Happy in sun or part-shade, it does not seem to be hardy. Cuttings root quickly, and the odd seed might be found. Salvia sclarea This salvia is widely distributed in Western Asia and Southern Europe. A biennial, sometimes perennial, if spent flower-heads are removed, it is a slightly coarse plant, but majestic when in full flower. The flowers have a lilac/blue upper lip, and a white lower lip. The pink bracts add to its beauty. Growing up to 4ft. x 4ft. it is totally hardy, and will seed itself around. Colour variations in the flowers can sometimes be found from seedlings. A popular cultivar is known as var. turkestanica, but this name is often misapplied. Some people find the odour of the foliage unpleasant, but I have not noticed this. It is strong, to be sure, but not a problem. I hope to provide a more in-focus photo of the flowers soon. Salvia karwinskii x involucrata Presumed to be a hybrid of these rather promiscuous species, this is an excellent winter-flowering salvia, under glass of course. Tall stems with large grey-green leaves produce large inflorescenses at a height of 5ft. plus. Doubtless, it will grow to twice that height in better conditions. The huge pink flowers are every bit as good as those of the parents, certainly better than those of S. karwinskii. I have another similar salvia which may or may not have the dubious name of S. siguatepequensis, which is even more monstrous. Unfortunately I don't have a decent picture currently. Salvia greggii 'Peach' One of my favourite cultivars of Salvia greggii, this is invariably the first to flower, sometimes as early as late April. Flowering lasts until frost, but the colour is best early and late in the season, as prolonged sunshine seems to make the flower colour fade a bit. A compact form, it can get rather woody at the base, so is best replaced after 3 years. New growth in late Spring produces the best material for cuttings. Seed will not always come true, which is normal with this species. Salvia myriantha Until recently this was incorrectly known as S. polystachya in the UK, which is a completely different species. S. myriantha comes from Mexico, and has a similar form to S. roscida (aka S. fallax), upright growth to 5 ft. and long flowering stems with masses of violet and white flowers. Very attractive when in full bloom, in Winter under glass. Can be easily propagated from cuttings or seed. A noticeable feature of this salvia is the absolutely disgusting smell of the foliage, even worse than that of S. confertiflora. Wash your hands if you touch the leaves, and do not think of it as a culinary sage! (The stink is only noticeable if the leaves are rubbed.) Salvia polystachya This is a rather poor picture of what is apparently the real S. polystachya from Mexico and Central America. A rather weedy species, this is not one of my favourite salvias. It has close relatives such as S. xalapensis and S. compacta, and is variable in itself. A sprawling plant which will flop to the ground without protection from other plants, it can grow up to 9ft. Flowering is in late summer/autumn, and the compact inflorescenses with hundreds of tiny pale blue flowers are attractive for a short time. Reputed to be hardy to -7 degrees, but I have not tested it. Salvia regla An erect shrub from West Texas and Mexico, Salvia regla is quite hardy in the South of the UK. It is deciduous, and should not be cut back after frost. New foliage will appear on the old wood in May, and flowering usually commences in August. The long, scarlet flowers protrude from inflated orange-coloured calyces, which persist after the flowers have dropped off. Up to 5 ft. tall here, it can grow very much larger in warmer climates. There are several cultivars available in California, a particularly vivid one is S. regla 'Mt. Emory'. It has so many large flowers, the stems bend to the ground. S. regla likes a sunny spot and good drainage. Propagate from cuttings, as it does not usually set seed here. Salvia recognita This is a handsome, hardy perennial from central Turkey. Tall flower spikes, upto 5 ft. appear in late May, and flowering can last until September. The large flowers are pale pink with white markings on the lower lip. The plant is best replaced every 2 or 3 years, as the lower part can get woody and ragged. Propagate from cuttings or from seed. The very large seeds can be slow and erratic in their germination. A short period in a refrigerator can aid germination, as is the case with several Turkish species. The basal foliage attracts slugs and snails. Salvia glechomifolia A small species from Mexico, this is a delightful salvia for a container. Slightly creeping in habit, the flowering stems are about 12 inches in height. The attractive violet-blue flowers have two white marks on the lower lip. It will flower throughout the summer in fertile soil in full sunshine, and does require regular watering. Propagation can be from division of the suckering rootstock, cuttings, and occasionally by seed. It is borderline hardy in the UK. There are a few very similar species to S. glechomifolia, but a botanist's microscope would be needed to differentiate them. Salvia 'Mulberry Jam' This is a hybrid of S. involucrata and something else which was discovered in the beautiful garden of Betsy Clebsch in California. Only 4 ft. tall, which is much shorter than most of the involucrata group, this is a valuable introduction for a smaller garden. Flowering starts in July, and will last until the first frost. It is fairly hardy, but does not resprout until late Spring, therefore over-wintered cuttings under glass will be in bloom much earlier. Not as brittle as other involucratas, it is nevertheless advisable to grow it in a sunny spot, sheltered from strong winds. Salvia pratensis 'Lapis Lazuli' Incorrectly sold to me as S. pratensis 'Indigo', I believe this to be 'Lapis Lazuli'. This is one of the many named forms of S. pratensis, whose flowers can vary from violet-blue to pale blue to pink, and to white. Widespread throughout Europe, it also one of the two species of salvia which have naturalised in the UK., the other being S. verbenaca. Totally hardy, it will grow well even in poor soil. Flowering is in June, and occasionally a second flush will appear in late Summer. It is striking when in full flower, but the basal foliage is not so attractive. so it is a good idea to plant something in front when the flowering is over. Salvia splendens I believe this to be the true S. splendens species from Brazil. This is the Salvia from which many of the popular, dwarf bedding plants have originated. In its natural habitat, this can grow up to 9ft. tall, but so far I have only managed 5ft. It is truly spectacular, some people would say gaudy. The large, brilliant scarlet flowers are on stems up to 3 ft. long. Full sun, warmth, and rich soil are needed for the best plants. I grow mine in large containers, sheltered from strong wind. Regular watering and a weekly feed are required. Seed sown in late Febuary will produce 5 ft. flowering plants in late June. Flowering will continue until October if dead-heading is carried out. Cuttings will root easily, but are difficult to over-winter in a damp greenhouse.

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