Salvia buchananii

This is one of the best Salvias for growing in a container. A small plant with wonderful, large, furry, magenta flowers, attractive shiny foliage. It originated in Mexico, but has never been seen in the wild. It was found growing in a garden in Mexico City in the 1950's. Seems to be happy in sun or part-shade, and has proved to be fairly hardy in the UK. It grows to 1ft. here, but will sprawl to a similar extent. Easy to propagate from cuttings, and occasionally sets viable seed. It will flower all summer long. A connoisseur's plant.