Salvia dorisiana in Buenos Aires

This fabulous Salvia is one of the best winter-flowering species, especially in a frost-free climate. Here, in the UK, it must be protected in a conservatory or glasshouse. The flowers are huge, and a lovely shade of pink, but it is the foliage which is the main attraction, year-round, for its fruity fragrance. Also edible, the leaves can be used to make a wonderful sorbet, as do those of Lemon Verbena. This Salvia is very thirsty when flowering, and appreciates half-strength tomato feed, and lots of water. I have never found seeds here, but it is easily propagated from cuttings. Photograph by Rolando Uria.