Salvia hierosolymitana

This Salvia is found in Eastern Mediterranean regions, such as Israel and Lebanon. Allegedly a hardy perennial, I have never successfully over-wintered this plant outside. It just rots! The one year when it did flower was interesting...long flowering stems, with lovely, but tiny, burgundy-coloured flowers, similar in colour to those of S. viscosa. It tends to flower in early spring, provided late frosts have not occurred. I have given up with this Salvia, and will hope that others in warmer European climates will have better results than I have. (Photo by Christian Froissart.)