Salvia barrelieri

This striking salvia comes from Southern Spain and North-West Africa. It will flower from seed sown the previous year. It is perennial but often behaves like a biennial, so seed should be collected regularly. The flowering stems can be up to 6 ft. long, arising from blueish-grey basal foliage. The flowers are very large and are a good shade of sky-blue. The only disadvantage of this plant is its short flowering season, in the month of July. A sunny area is recommended, and good drainage is essential.