Salvia Gallery All 360 Photographs Return to Index Page < Salvia atrocyanea From Bolivia, this Salvia can rapidly reach 6ft x 6ft. Flowering from mid-summer until frost, this striking plant is a useful addition to a large border. It is also completely hardy in the South of the UK. It is cut back by frost, but will re-sprout in spring. The large deep blue flowers are densely packed along the stems, which causes them to droop in an attractive manner. Propagation is by seed or cuttings. Regular watering is necessary in dry spells. It succeeds in full sun or partial shade. Salvia carduacea An attractive annual species, native to Southern California. Unlike some of the perennial Californian species, this is an easy plant to get into flower in the UK. Seed can be sown indoors in March and flowering will commence in June for a six-week period, when the plants can be placed outdoors, though heavy rain can damage the plants. Growing to a height of up to 18in, they make excellent container plants. Full sun and a well-drained gritty soil are essential for this Salvia to perform well. Seed can be collected after flowering ceases, though care must be taken as the seed heads are covered in small, sharp spines, hence its common name of  Thistle Sage. Salvia corrugata Discovered in 1988 in South America, this aromatic shrub will grow to about 4 ft. The deeply textured foliage complements the tight whorls of gorgeous violet-blue flowers which are on display in late summer, sometimes earlier. Full sun and regular watering are required for S. corrugata to thrive. This Salvia looks splendid in a container as it is not easy to match with other plants. It will only survive a light freeze so it is best over-wintered under glass. It sometimes sets a few seeds here, but large plants can be grown from cuttings taken in summer. Salvia dombeyi A tender perennial native to Bolivia and Peru, growing up to 6ft. in the UK, though it has been known to reach 20ft. in its natural habitat. Lax in habit, it needs support from other shrubs to prevent the flowering stems from collapsing due to the weight of the large flowers. The beautiful flowers are the largest of the Salvia genus, up to 5 inches in length. Flowering time is from August until the first frost. S. dombeyi does not seem to like prolonged periods of sunshine, and grows best in a partially shady spot. Propagation is from cuttings taken in summer. These must be over-wintered in a frost-free greenhouse. Indoors this Salvia is susceptible to red-spider mite. Salvia greggii "Robin Middleton" A chance seedling from my garden, this is similar to S. greggii 'Stormy Pink', but slightly paler in colour. It is also more compact than 'Stormy Pink', with smaller leaves, and the dark calyx contrasts well with the pale pink flowers. Flowering from May until October, this is hardy to around -6 degrees. It does set seed but propagation should be from cuttings as the seed will probably not come true, as all the S. greggii and microphylla cultivars hybridise freely. Best in full sun, prune lightly in spring. Salvia splendens "Peach" This is a pink form of the Brazilian Salvia splendens, from which the popular dwarf strains such as 'Sizzler', 'Blaze of Fire', etc., originated. The true S. splendens is bright red, but it is a variable species, as can be seen here. This form will reach 4ft x 3ft from seed sown in late winter, and will flower from summer until October. It will not survive any frost, and though perennial, it is best grown as an annual. Seeds come true. Although cuttings will easily root, it is difficult to keep them alive in a cold, dark greenhouse in winter. Salvia striata Not much is known about this recent introduction collected in 2002 in the Peruvian Andes at an altitude of 3-4000 metres. It is a small, woody, rather sprawling shrub, with unusual pale pink flowers with a hint of yellow. Last year my plant grew to 18in x 4ft, and in spite of the high elevation of its habitat, it was killed by frost. Cuttings were fine in the greenhouse in winter, and flowers were produced sporadically, throughout the year. There are never many flowers at any one time but they are quite beautiful. This Salvia has not set seed here. Salvia cacaliaefolia Native to Southern Mexico and Central America, this Salvia is gaining popularity here, with good reason. It will flower from June until frost. Masses of pure blue flowers on freely branched stems which sprawl are a contrast to the bright green, triangular-shaped leaves. An ideal candidate for a large container or hanging basket, its beauty may be enhanced by mixing it with small, white Petunias. Grow in sun or part-shade. Not reliably hardy here, it occasionally sets seed, but is easy to propagate from cuttings. Salvia clevelandii Native to the San Diego region of California, this is a difficult plant to grow in our climate, due to too much rain and insufficient sunshine. The foliage is highly aromatic, and the flowers can be various shades of blue or violet. It needs to be kept very dry if it is going to flower. Good specimens were seen at the Eden project and were flowering well. Grow from seed in a gritty compost. It is worth persevering with in the unlikely event of a warm, sunny spring. Even without flowers, it is an attractive foliage plant. (Photo by Michael Charters of calflora.) Salvia canescens var. daghestanica This pretty Salvia from the Caucasus Mountains near the Black Sea is ideal for a rock garden. Growing to only 1ft, the purple flowers make a good contrast to the basal, silvery-green foliage. Flowering for most of the summer, this must have good drainage and full sun. It is reportedly hardy to -10 degrees, but it is unlikely to survive outside in a British winter as it is too wet. Easily grown from seed, it can be treated as an annual, but potted-up plants kept in the greenhouse during winter will provide a larger plant the following year, if kept dry. Salvia guaranitica 'Argentine Skies' From a large area in South America, this pale blue cultivar of S. guaranitica was introduced in 1990. It will grow to 4-5ft tall and is of upright growth. Reliably hardy, it should be cut down when frosted, and it will resprout in May. It is in flower from mid-summer onwards, and seems happy in either full sun or partial shade. It spreads by underground tubers, which incidentally can find their way very deep into the soil, making it a difficult Salvia to remove, should you want to. Salvia dentata An attractive species from the Cape Town area of South Africa, this small shrub is often confused with a similar South African native, Salvia dentata. I received seed as S. muirii, but 2 experts have told me that it is probably S. dentata. Now I have the real S. dentata, I shall compare them. Very aromatic, the pale violet/blue flowers are produced throughout summer on branched stems. Full sun and good drainage are required. Unlikely to survive outside in winter, it can be propagated by seed or cuttings. PAGE TWO Salvia squalens Native to Peru and Ecuador, this is a tender species which apparently can be variable. My plant has flowered on and off for most of the year, whether outside or indoors. The foliage is aromatic, but extremely sticky, causing any debris, insects, etc. which land on it to adhere. The orange flowers are quite large. I have not had this species long enough to determine which conditions suit it best, but it is an exciting introduction for me. It has grown to 3ft x 3ft, and sets seed. Cuttings root easily. I will update when I have more experience with this salvia. Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips' A vigorous cultivar of S. microphylla, which I introduced to the UK. The bi-coloured flowers are appealing, though in mid-summer, it can revert to plain white, but as the temperature cools, it reverts back to red and white. It was discovered in a garden in Mexico a few years ago. I collected seed from this plant at Cabrillo College in California, and was surprised that most seedlings came true. It has never set seed in my garden, so it is propagated from cuttings. Cultivation is the same as other microphyllas. Salvia guaranitica from Australia This form of S. guaranitica was kindly given to me by Sue Templeton, the Australian Salvia specialist. It only grows to about 4 ft here, and flowers all summer. The deep blue flowers are considerably larger than those of the true species. Propagation must be from cuttings. It over-wintered (just!) outside successfully, but I would recommend taking cuttings as a precaution. Regular watering in a dry summer is advised. Flowering is from mid-summer until frost. Salvia discolor A most unusual species from Peru, this is a lax plant ideally suited to hanging baskets, as it is best seen from below to appreciate its beauty. (Although the famous botanist Christopher Lloyd refers to this salvia as 'A flopping oddity'!) The foliage is silvery-green, and smells distinctly of blackcurrant. The stems are very sticky, and the flowers are deep violet...almost black, with a light green calyx. A rather brittle salvia, it is best sheltered from high winds. Killed at the mention of frost, it must be propagated from cuttings, as it does not set seed here. Try it in a basket with a lilac-coloured verbena, a great combination! Salvia 'Amber' This hybrid of S. nubicola x S. flava is from the Dutch plantsman Brian Kabbes. The parents are from China and other regions in Eastern Asia. Like many hybrids it is a stronger and more floriferous plant than its parents. The foliage is most attractive, the plant is compact 18in x 18in, and the unusual flowers are produced from June to September. It will survive outside to -10C, but good drainage is essential. It can only be propagated from cuttings. 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. Salvia chiapensis For me, this is a confused Mexican species. For some years I had S. chiapensis which was a rather sprawling salvia, flowering for most of the year, always requiring a moist environment. Last year, I was given this plant from the French specialist, Christian Froissart, which to my amateur eye would appear to be a different species. Whatever it is...and I will provide updates when available...it is a great salvia, it seems to be a winter-flowering type, it has flowered incessantly in the greenhouse all winter. The leaves are much larger and ovate than those of the recognised chiapensis. Salvia guaranitica 'Indigo' Yet another form of S. guaranitica, this only grows to 4 ft. but it flowers from May until frost. Not as rampant as other forms of S. guaranitica, and seems to be frost-tender. It is possible that this might be the plant known as S. guaranitica 'Black and Blue' in the USA and Australia, whereas what has for some years been known as 'Black and Blue' in the UK...known as Salvia 'Costa Rican Blue' elsewhere, might be a separate species, flowering in late Autumn, this plant will be shown separately. The 'Indigo' form does not have tuberous roots, just to add to the confusion in this area, as all the guaraniticas I have grown are tuberous. Salvia retinervia This is a recently introduced species from the Bolivian cloud forests.There is always the possibility of mis-identification, unfortunately. I have had only limited experience with this plant. It is obviously very tender, but the flowers are the most exquisite mid-blue. Not many at any time. The growth and foliage indicates that it must be closely related to S. orbignaei and S. haenkei....just the blue -coloured flowers are so different. This will probably be a difficult salvia to grow in the UK. I intend to persevere with this and will provide updates. Salvia rubescens This is a really unknown, and very difficult species in the UK. Seeds from Seedhunt in California make statuesque specimens, great silvery foliage..but the plants never flower, and get killed by frost. A fellow enthusiast who has a National Salvia collection at Kingston Maurward College in Dorset gave me this form of S. rubescens. This seems to flower all the time, and is stunning! I cannot provide information about this yet, it appears to be a different form from mine...though it is without doubt preferable. Salvia SL411 As yet, an unidentified species from Peru. This is a fast-growing species which will not withstand any frost. It will flower in any conditions all summer. Large leaves indicate that it might be related to S. squalens, but there the similarity ends. Currently being investigated by Dr. James Compton at Reading University and by Christian Froissart who is the French Salvia expert. Hopefully this will be identified soon, as this is without doubt a very garden-worthy salvia. Updates to follow. Seems to be difficult to over-winter..happily it sets viable seeds. Salvia urica Another variable species from Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras, this is a tender shrub with large deep blue flowers, with an unusual incurved lower lip. It will not survive British winters, but will often seed all over the place. The tall form (up to 6 ft...best to discard this as it is really a bit weedy) has been offered by Seedhunt as a short form...forget it! It flowers well, but is a bit of a thug! If you can get a large-flowered 'short-form' you have a great salvia which will flower all summer, take cuttings and do not rely on seeds. PAGE THREE Salvia oxyphora Little is known about this amazing Bolivian salvia, but I would suggest that it deserves a place in the top ten! It is one of the most beautiful salvias that I have ever grown. The enormous flowers are strongly scented..wasps seem to find them irresistable. I have actually tasted the nectar...sugar!!! I find that this salvia is a fast-growing species, not sure what situations would be best for it...I would suggest warmth is essential, as is it endemic to low altitudes in Bolivia. Watch out for aphids in the greenhouse during winter. Propagation is from cuttings as it has not set seed here Salvia greggii 'Stormy Pink' Another greggii hybrid, this has stunning pale pink flowers. Only problem is that it is slightly untidy, unlike 'Robin Middleton', which is more compact. Totally hardy, prune gently in spring. It does set seed, but may not come true. Salvia indica A reasonably hardy perennial species from the middle East, not from India as the name might suggest, this flowers from mid-May for about 5 weeks. A striking addition to the Spring border, this is a compact plant with basal foliage, and the flower spikes reach up to 2 ft. The flowers are uniquely coloured, lilac upper lips, and dramatically spotted lower lips on a white background. Seed collected after flowering should be sown in August to provide flowering plants the following Spring. Salvia involucrata 'Joan' A recent introduction from Australia, this seems to be a hybrid. To my amateur eye the only resemblance to the S. involucrata forms is the foliage. The flowers seem to indicate that there has been a cross with S. microphylla. Whatever it is, it is a good plant growing up to 4 ft. and seems to flower all Summer long. A lovely shade of pink, this Salvia seems to have potential. Its hardiness has not been tested here, but I would think it is borderline, so cuttings should be taken. Salvia macrophylla Recently identified, this was formerly known as S. 'Peru Blue' and S. 'Tingo Blue'. A slightly monstrous salvia, this grows here up to 5 ft, but can spread alarmingly, as lax stems will root along the ground. It is frost tender, but sets lots of viable seed, and cuttings root easily. The leaves are huge, and the flower stems are rather small in comparison with the size of the plant. However, the flowers are an exquisite shade of mid-blue, and this alone makes this plant garden-worthy...if you have a big garden! There is another species known as S. funckii which may or may not be the same species, I believe that investigations are taking place. Salvia gilliesii From high elevations in the Andes, this shrubby salvia is new to the UK. For the last two winters it has proved to be hardy for me. What is essential to know is that this is a deciduous shrub, and should not be cut back after being frosted. Like S. regla, new growth starts in Spring on previous year's stems. What appears to be dead wood springs into life in mid-May. Flowering commences in August, small blue flowers at the top of the stems, but so many of them, they almost blot out the attractive silvery foliage. It seems to grow well in any situation. Propagation is from cuttings or seed. Salvia 'Black Knight' Another hybrid, probably S. guaranitica x S. splendens, this is similar to S. 'Purple Majesty', but it is slightly more vigorous. The deep purple flowers are delightful with an almost black calyx. It can grow up to 6 ft. tall in one season, and will flower throughout the Summer. Propagation is from cuttings, which is essential, as it has not survived outside here for the last three years. Seems to grow happily in full sun or part-shade. This salvia has also been known as Salvia 'Blue Bird' in the UK. I have found that S. 'Purple Majesty' is difficult to over-winter successfully, whereas 'Black Knight' is not a problem. Salvia concolor From Mexico,this photo is from my garden last year. This is a spectacular salvia growing to 10ft., and more here. Native to Mexico, this is an upright-growing salvia, and it is totally hardy in the South of the UK. Dormant in winter, it will resprout in May, and phenomenal growth then takes place. The deep blue flowers with matching calyces are quite small, but the long flowering stems are superb from August until October. A fantastic salvia, easy to grow, though relatively unknown here. Occasionally sets seed here, best to take cuttings. It is inclined to droop in hot conditions, and requires regular deep watering. Semi-shade might be advantageous. Salvia gravida (possibly) A truly spectacular Winter-flowering species in frost-free conditions, this may also be known as S. vazquezii. I took this picture at Mainz University in Germany last year, and was absolutely thrilled with the magnificence of this monstrous salvia. Perhaps this cannot be cultivated in the UK, unless huge hot-houses at Kew or Wisley would be prepared to give this magnificent salvia a trial! The plants I saw were 12 ft. tall, and the huge infloresences made the flowering stems droop, but the flowers were upright! This salvia needs serious investigation. Salvia aspera A recent introduction, this is a Mexican species with bright yellow flowers, which is unusual in salvias. My experience so far with this species has not been good, a sticky, sprawling plant, with a paucity of flowers. I will try it in a shadier position this year. I am determined to persevere with this salvia as the yellow-coloured flowers are so unusual, though I fear that our climatic conditions might prove to be a problem. My thanks to Adrian Lovatt for this great photograph. Salvia nemorosa 'East Friesland' A popular cultivar of S. nemorosa, this is a good hardy perennial salvia, with bright deep-blue flowers. Will grow in any conditions, though a rich soil might cause rampant foliage to the detriment of flowering stems. Dead-heading will encourage more flowering stems. Seeds can be collected, but will be unreliable, if even viable. Salvia nemorosa is native to Central Europe and the Southern part of the Middle-East. This is a wonderful hardy herbacious perennial, which is highly recommended, and is widely available. Salvia patens There are many forms of this popular salvia. The original species has huge royal blue flowers, it annoys me intensely that garden centres sell this plant under the name of 'Blue Angel'. It is the same plant! Larger forms such as 'Guanajuato' will be described later, also the 'Cambridge Blue' and 'Chilcombe' forms. Grow this from seed as an annual, in part-shade. This salvia forms tubers, like dahlias, and can be over-wintered accordingly. I have recently acquired a cultivar which is superior to 'Guanajuato'...flowers even larger, more of them on each stem...updates to follow! By the way, it is from Mexico, and is happy in part-shade. PAGE FOUR Salvia 'Petra' This is a hybrid of S. orbignaei x S. haenkei collected in Bolivia. There are several hybrids of these species, and they all appear to be more floriferous than the species. Currently they are protected plants, and are not available. This particular hybrid which I photographed in Europe is quite stunning, and flowers year-round. An untidy, sprawling plant..could be great grown amongst other shrubs to prevent flopping all over the place. The flower colour is really beautiful, better than either parent. Hopefully permission will be granted soon to distribute this outstanding salvia. Salvia sagittata From Peru and Chile, this tender perennial is increasing in popularity. The lime-green sword-shaped foliage is a great foil to the large deep-blue spreading infloresecences above. Flowering all Summer, this is a strikingly beautiful plant. Lower foliage tends to get ragged, grow something in front...perhaps white petunias? The Australian Salvia collection holder, Sue Templeton, has tentatively called this plant 'Blue Mosquito'. with good reason. Another form has recently been introduced into the UK, this is a bit more compact, flowers for 12 months, and the flowers have a hint of violet. This might be S. rumicifolia, or just a different form. Salvia pachyphylla Another species from South-West California, this is unlikely to flower in the UK, as the climate is incompatible. The flowers are sublime, I have seen this salvia in flower in California, and oddly enough, in France. The flowers are quite small, but the colours are quite stunning, they need to be observed closely. Even without flowers, this is an attractive, compact plant with pale grey-green foliage. Needs warmth, sun, and a dry atmosphere to survive here in Spring. A challenge. (Photograph by kind permission of Michael Charters.) Salvia praeclara Described by Ginny Hunt as 'S. coccinea on steroids', this is an extremely vigorous Bolivian species, in flower just 8 weeks from sowing seed, and reaching a height of 5ft. a few weeks later. The orange-red flowers are numerous, with curled stamens. I had been told that this is an annual species, but this is questionable. It will not tolerate the mention of frost. It seems happy in full sun, or part-shade, and is a thirsty plant. It is also prone to mildew on the foliage, which is unusual in South American species. A prolific setter of seed, cuttings will root very quickly. Salvia stachydifolia An Argentinian species, this would appear to be closely related to S. meyeri. Last year this was 8ft x 6ft in one season. Initially unimpressive, when flowering commenced late July, the small pale blue flowers, with a tinge of white, seemed inappropriate to the size of the plant. However, by September, the immense amount of flowers transformed this into a striking salvia. I hope to provide a better picture this year. Like S. meyeri, it seems quite hardy in the UK. Cut back by frost, it resprouted in early May. Propagate from seed or cuttings. Salvia agnes From Mexico, this is a compact plant, with a lot of mid-blue flowers from August until frost. The flowers are indeed tiny, but they are plentiful at any time, making this a pretty plant for a container, as it could get lost amongst larger species. It is borderline hardy here, so cuttings should be over-wintered under glass. It occasionally sets a few seed. It has grown for me up to 2ft, with a similar width. It is closely related to other Mexican small-flowered species. It seems to like a sunny spot. Salvia involucrata 'Boutin' Several forms of S. involucrata are available in the UK, but this is possibly my favourite. Difficult to distinguish from the 'Hadspen' form, this is a spectacular plant growing rapidly to 6ft x 6ft. The large, deep pink flowers are surrounded by light green bracts, and make a superb show from late July until the first frost. The plant is rather brittle, so is best positioned in a sheltered area protected from strong winds. Quite hardy here, will resprout e arly May. Cuttings root readily, and it is advisable to take a few, in case of a severe winter. Happy in full sun. Occasionally sets seed here, but odd things can happen, strange non-flowering plants can result. Salvia montbrettii An extremely rare salvia from Turkey, little is known about this species. I have managed to germinate just one seed, and so far, longish pale green leaves seem that the seedling is healthy, though I doubt if it will flower this year. I have planted it in a dry area, in full sun, with hopefully excellent drainage. The flower, which can be seen from the photo by Christian Froissart, is undoubtedly beautiful. I imagine that this will be a smallish plant, flowering for a short time in late spring. The Turkish species can be difficult to grow in the UK, but I hope to provide pictures shortly of the equally rare S. albimaculata and S. hydrangea. Salvia mexicana 'Limelight' Salvia mexicana is a highly variable plant in Mexico, some forms growing up to 20ft. tall. 'Limelight' can be recommended in the UK as it starts to flower in August, much earlier than the other forms, which get cut down by frost just as flowering starts. Also it only reaches about 5ft. The large blue flowers and lime-green calyces make this an attractive plant. It is frost-tender, and is propagated by cuttings, and occasionally from seed. Salvia adenophora From the Mexican region of Oaxaca, this is a recent introduction to Europe, and not much is known about this species. It would appear to be a tender salvia. It can be very fast-growing, in Germany I observed a superb specimen which was approaching 12ft. tall, smothered with bright scarlet flowers. This was flowering under glass in November. Of the 3 cuttings I took, only one has flowered so far, starting in May. The stems are rather sticky, and young leaves have a reddish tinge. Salvia interrupta Often confused with S. candelabrum and S. ringens, this species from Morocco is a worthy candidate for a mixed border, flowering from May until July. The large mid-blue flowers have white markings, and the foliage, especially early in the season is an attractive lime-green colour. It is hardy in the UK in all but the coldest winters, and is a compact, evergreen shrub 2ft. x 2ft. A sunny position is best for it. Propagation is usually from seed. Young seedlings can sometimes be found near the parent. Salvia 'Gloomy' An aptly named salvia from Brian Kabbes in Holland, this is a hybrid of S. flava and S. hians, both native to China and the Himalayas. It is a splendid foliage plant, with rich green leaves, with a pointed tip. The flowers are most interesting, the upper lip is a dirty yellow, and the lower lip is a dull brown, hence its name. It is likely to be completely hardy here, provided it does not get waterlogged in winter. 2ft.x 2ft. so far, with large flowering stems. A salvia for the collector of unusual plants. PAGE FIVE Salvia smithii An extremely beautiful Chinese species, compact, with long stems of pale yellow flowers, marked with blue and brown spots. It will die back over-winter, but will resprout in early spring. Flowering starts at the beginning of June for a 6 to 8 week period. It seems to be quite hardy, but like most Chinese species, it does not like being too wet in winter. I grow mine in large pots, and keep them on the dry side in winter, in a cold frame. Propagate by seed, which is slow to germinate. Salvia divinorum Native to a remote part of Mexico, this is one of the most difficult salvias to get into flower. It needs warmth, high humidity, and little direct sunlight. It is an extremely untidy, sprawling plant. The quadrangular stems will trail along the ground and root as they go. It is the gorgeous white flowers with purple calyces which are the main attraction, along with the hallucinogenic properties of the foliage. for those who are into that sort of thing. It is not known to set seed, but will root readily from cuttings. Illegal in Australia, I have discarded this salvia, as mine never flowered. Salvia pulchella From the Chiapas region of Mexico, this is a confused species. Originally described as S. pulchella, it now seems that this might be a different species. Investigation is taking place. Whatever it is, it is most unusual, in that the flowers form inside upward-forming bracts and calyces. I have not grown this plant long enough to advise on cultivation, but would suggest that it is tender. A friend of mine has grown it to 6 ft. and has flowered on and off all year round, my plant has been rather fragile. Updates to follow. It is definitely rather special. Salvia dorisiana A much-admired salvia from Honduras, this is a tender shrub to 5ft. tall. The very large, pink flowers can be seen from February to May, but this shrub must be under glass or in a conservatory in winter. When the flowers are finished, S. dorisiana can be placed outside in summer, where the large, pale green foliage can be admired. An added attraction is the wonderful fruity scent of the leaves. It does not set seed here, so must be propagated by cuttings. Salvia 'Indigo Spires' Rapidly achieving popularity, this hybrid of S. farinacea x S. longispicata is a great summer border plant. Up to 5 ft. tall, and rather straggly, this is a superb plant for a herbaceous border. Support is required as the long flower-stems are inclined to flop under the weight of the flowers. Flowers all summer long, and is at its best in early Autumn. Borderline hardy in the UK, it is propagated from easily-rooted cuttings. It is a sterile hybrid which does not set seed. Salvia albimaculata A very rare species from a small area in the Taurus mountains in Turkey, this is a delightful small salvia. The violet flowers have a pronounced white blotch on the lower lip. This is an evergreen species, and reputedly hardy to -10 degrees, but I suspect that a wet winter could kill it. Growing on limestone in its native habitat, it is probably best over-wintered in a pot, in a dry environment. Only grows to about 10 inches, but will flower on and off all summer. A candidate for a rockery, perhaps. Occasionally sets seeds, which are difficult to germinate, cuttings are also slow to root. Salvia roscida Also known as Salvia fallax, this is a winter-flowering species from Mexico. In a greenhouse or conservatory, this has masses of small, light blue flowers on long, upright stems from February until May. It requires a lot of water during the flowering season. Easily propagated from cuttings, I have never found seed here. Under glass, it does tend to attract aphids, so attention and an occasional spray would be beneficial. It grows up to 5ft. tall here with a spread of up to 3ft. Frost-tender, it is very attractive in flower. (Photo courtesy of Yoke van der Meer... my plant refused to flower last winter.) Salvia algeriensis A native from Algeria and Morocco, this annual species is a delightful salvia, which starts flowering in late spring. Beautifully-coloured flowers, which are very large on such a small plant. Growing up to 2ft., this is a highly aromatic species, the leaves having a pleasant odour resembling thyme, when bruised. This will flower within 2 months from sowing seed, though it is recommended that the seed is sown in warm conditions in order to promote fast growth. Three plants in a large tub will provide a stunning display up to late July. Then, collect seed, and replace with a later-flowering species. Salvia greggii 'Sungold' This lovely cultivar was grown by my friend, Christine Yeo, who was the first National Collection Holder of salvias in the UK. There have been other "yellow" cultivars, such as 'La Luna', and 'Trelissick', but this is still the purest yellow form. A slightly weaker form than other cultivars, it will nevertheless flower from May until October. Maximum height of 18 inches. Seed will not necessarily come true, as is the case in all S. greggiis, but worth experimenting with, as this is how superior...and inferior...plants can originate. I find this cultivar very difficult to propagate from cuttings, but luckily, it is quite hardy. A plant from Holland called 'Devon Cream' is the same thing. Salvia longispicata Another confused species from Mexico, I am uncertain that I have the correct plant. Descriptions of this salvia state that this can grow more than 6ft. tall. Well, mine is a compact plant no taller than 2 ft. It comes into flower in September, fairly long spikes smothered with light blue flowers. It would seem that it is closely related to S. polystachya, another confused species. What I have written would appear to be rather pointless, but my plant, whatever it is, is a good one! Hopefully I will be able to clarify these comments one day! Salvia orbignaei Another rare Bolivian species, this seems to be a difficult plant for the UK. Rampant and sprawling, it only flowers from November onwards, and must have frost protection. The narrow grey-green leaves complement the large, furry pink flowers. Does not set seed here, but cuttings can be taken, though they are not easy to root. Worth persevering with. I just don't know the best conditions for this under glass. It does not cope well with humidity in the winter here. The hybrids of this and S. haenkei seem to be superior, and have a much longer flowering season...see S. 'Petra'. Salvia 'Louis Saso' Very new to the UK, this might be a hybrid of S. iodantha x S. tubifera. Both from Mexico. I really should not comment too much, as I have never seen S. tubifera in bloom, though pictures of it do indicate that a cross with S. iodantha could result in this rather spectacular plant. Apparently, it can grow to 12ft. and more, so if I want this to flower in my pathetic greenhouse, I may have a problem, as it is a winter-flowering Salvia. So far, amazingly fast growth, foliage much like S. iodantha. PAGE SIX Salvia keerlii Pale blue flowers, tinged with white, this is an attractive shrub from Mexico, related to S. melissodora. The foliage is very fragrant, and like S. melissodora, smells of grapes. It is a tender plant, and will flower sporadically all year round. It cannot be regarded as spectacular...certainly not here...it flowers when it feels like it. So far, my plant has only grown to 2ft. x 2ft., and might prove to be a better plant in the UK than the rampant S. melissodora. Currently in early June, it has masses of flower buds. Salvia holwayi A truly remarkable species from Guatemala, this is a tender perennial which would be ideal for a hanging basket in a frost-free environment. Many inflorescences appear along each floppy stem. Flowering, under glass, commences here in November, and continues until March. In its natural habitat, long stems will root, but here propagation must be from easily-rooted cuttings. This is one of the best winter-flowering species. Salvia patens 'Large Form' This is not S. patens 'Guanajuato'. It is an altogether superior form which I bought from a nursery in Holland. Unlike 'Guanajuato'...which can be erratic where flowering is concerned..this is a beauty. Huge royal blue flowers smother the plant all through summer. In full bloom, this is one of the most spectacular of all salvias...assuming that blue is your favourite colour! Does not mind where it grows, though I think that partial shade is preferable. Flowering from early June until frost, it can be propagated from cuttings, or plentiful seed. Grows up to 5ft. x 3ft. Salvia semiatrata From Southern Mexico, this tender shrub, with bright green deltoid foliage will flower here from mid-summer until frost. It is a thirsty plant in summer, and is best positioned in a sunny spot. The upper lip is deep blue and the lower lips is lavender/white. This makes a striking contrast to the deep pink calyx. Widely grown in the French and Italian Rivieras, this is a delightful salvia for a large container. It will grow 4ft. x 3ft. here. Summer cuttings can be taken for overwintering in a greenhouse, where they should be kept fairly dry until spring. Salvia gracilis Found in the Valle de Bravo region of Mexico, this is a pretty shrub with long stems of tiny pink flowers. It is new to the UK, and would not appear to be hardy. Last year it grew 4ft. x 3ft. and was in flower continuously. It also flowered well throughout winter indoors. It is easily propagated from cuttings, and it did set a few seeds. Another good salvia for a large container, rather than a mixed border, as the small flowering stems could get lost amongst larger-flowering plants. It seems to prefer sunny conditions, with regular watering in summer. Salvia sinaloensis From Sinaloa in Mexico, this compact, and tender perennial is a lovely salvia for a small container. A few garden centres are selling this plant, albeit with an additional name, presumably for customer attraction. The dark leaves have a purplish tinge, and the undersides are almost red in colour. The plentiful small flowers are a bright, deep blue. This will flower from mid-summer until frost, and requires regular watering. It also seems to prefer an acidic, peaty soil. I have had excellent results growing it in ericaceous compost. Over-wintered cuttings must be kept dry, or the young plants will die. Look for seed, as it does set a few. A nice change from compact lobelia! Salvia taraxacifolia (Dandelion leaved Sage) From the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, this is a dainty, small salvia, with large, pink flowers. It is a tender perennial here, as it cannot withstand wet winters, though it might survive over-winter in a well-drained rockery. It has a basal rosette of leaves (which do not really resemble those of dandelions...), and the flowering stems are about 1ft. tall. Propagation can be by division or by plentiful seed. Cutting material is not readily available. Seed sown in late winter will produce flowering plants by August. A sunny spot is recommended. Salvia 'Waverly' This is thought to be a hybrid of S. leucantha and S. chiapensis discovered in California. I can easily see the resemblance to S. leucantha, but I am not sure where S. chiapensis comes in. But I will go along with the experts. This is a brilliant introduction, with large, furry white flowers tinged with pink. A late-flowering salvia, it is at its best from September onwards, though over-wintered cuttings will flower in spring. A sterile plant, propagation must be from cuttings. A rapid grower up to 5ft. There is an even better hybrid with similar parentage called 'Phyllis Fancy' in which the white flowers are tinged with pale blue. Salvia candelabrum Sometimes confused with S. ringens and S. interrupta, this Spanish species is quite spectacular when in full bloom. Large violet/purple flowers are arranged in a candelabra-like form, on elongated stems up to 4ft. long, however, it can be somewhat untidy. The basal foliage is highly aromatic, and can be distinguished from its close relatives as the leaves are not pinnate. It flowers all summer, and seems perfectly hardy here, though cuttings and seed can be obtained easily. Quite rare in the UK, this species deserves to be more well-known. Propagation is by seed or cuttings. Salvia dorrii It is doubtful if we will ever be able to get this evergreen shrub from California to flower in the UK. A hot, sunny, dry spring is essential, as for S. clevelandii and S. pachyphylla. This is a very variable species in its native habitat, growing up to 3ft. The combination of colours of the corolla and calyx is beautiful. Silver-coloured leaves add to the beauty of this species, but I fear that our climate will not allow us to see this. Visit California in spring! Photo courtesy of Michael Charters. Salvia fulgens From the Puebla region of Mexico, Salvia fulgens is a variable tender perennial. It grows very well in a British climate, flowering from July until November. The large, scarlet flowers are covered in dense, soft hairs, creating a marvellous velvety appearance. A brittle plant, it is best situated in a sheltered spot, either in full sun or part-shade, and it needs regular deep-watering. Will occasionally resprout in spring, but over-wintered cuttings will produce plants which will flower from late June. In full bloom, this salvia is most impressive. Up to 5ft. x 3ft., this deserves to be more-widely grown. Closely related to the larger, winter-flowering S. gesneriiflora. Salvia guaranitica with humming bird I downloaded this beautiful picture from another website, and I cannot remember from where. The salvia is no doubt a guaranitica or mexicana (there are so many forms). If there is a copyright issue with this picture, let me know, and I will delete it...or credit it...as required. No need for further description...just wish that we could have hummingbirds in the UK to pollinate our salvias, and also to watch the delightful creatures going about their business. I have admired hummers in California, the Caribbean, and in Ecuador, they are exquisite. PAGE SEVEN Salvia BSWJ 8985 Collected in Guatemala by the plant collectors from Crug Farm Plants in North Wales, this salvia has not yet been identified. Specimens have been given to botanists, and so far, it has been considered to be a possible form of S. mexicana or S. polystachya. This is a tall-growing plant. Whilst the foliage suggests to me a connection with S. mexicana, the flowers do not. Polystachya or even longispicata are likely relatives. The flowers are bright, pale blue, and though minute, the large, congested inflorescences are rather grand. The spotted stems are another attraction. Flowered here in Autumn. Tender. Salvia amarissima Native to Mexico, this is a vigorous shrub to 4ft. x 4ft. Not the most spectacular salvia, but the small mid-blue flowers are appealing. This plant will not survive in British winters, but sets lots of seed, and roots easily from cuttings. I have found that this salvia performs best in a moist, shady spot. Bright sunshine tends to cause flower-drop before mid-day, so a brilliant-flowering plant in the morning can result in a dull plant in the afternoon. Detailed investigation of the flowers is recommended, the horizontal lower lip is quite unusual. Salvia c.f. darcyi A mystery salvia, this is nothing like S. darcyi! I don't know where this spurious name came from. This is a fabulous salvia, flowering all summer long. Slightly brittle, it has grown to 3ft. x 3ft. Smothered in large flowers, my immediate thought is that it is a form of S. fulgens, though the Botanists, James Compton, and Christian Froissart are investigating the possibility that this might be the real Salvia pulchella. (See S. pulchella on page 5......the only similarity that I can see is the shape of the buds.) It seems to grow well in sun or shade, but regular watering and an occasional feed would seem to be helpful for a healthy plant. Tender. Salvia florida A monstrosity from Peru, this has been tentatively named as Salvia florida. It has also been considered to be a form of S. pausiserrata. Well, I am totally confused by this. A tender, winter-flowering salvia, enormous round leaves, it had one large flowering stem in February in my porch, and was 10ft. tall. Obviously in a huge greenhouse at Wisley or Kew, this could be seen to its full advantage. I have suggested this to both, as I am unable to grow this plant due to lack of space. The large flowers were a deep maroon colour, and rather good. (S. gravida seems rather superior.) Salvia mellifera Commonly known as 'Black Sage', this drought-resistant Californian species is rarely seen in the UK. Like many other Californian salvias, it is difficult to get this into flower here, beacuse of the wrong weather conditions in spring. Even in a heated greenhouse, the dark and gloomy days of late winter are likely to prevent flowering buds from forming. This shrub will grow up to 4ft. and has aromatic small leaves. The tightly packed flowers form several glomerules on each stem. Photo courtesy of Michael Charters. Salvia tubiflora For many years, this has been sold in the UK as S. oppositiflora, which is a separate species. S. tubiflora is a tender species from Peru, only about 1ft. in height, but it spreads to about 2ft. A lovely plant, flowering from June to October, in a sunny spot. This could be a good candidate for a hanging basket or container. Foliage is pale green, slightly hairy and silver on the underside, a good contrast to the large, orange flowers. Propagation is by cuttings which should be kept on the dry side in winter, when it can be prone to aphid attacks. Salvia oppositiflora From Peru, this is apparently the real S. oppositiflora. A much taller plant than S. tubiflora, the flowers are in similar, opposite pairs. They are a lighter orange colour, sometimes tinged with pink, and are not as hairy as those of S. tubiflora. The foliage is also quite different. The leaves are more oval in shape, not so hairy, and are not serrated. S. oppositiflora is a new salvia for me, but I think it has great potential. Though tender, it seems to be in flower all year, and has reached a height of over 4 ft. It is quite upright. Easily propagated from cuttings or from seed. Salvia heldreichiana This salvia is a bit of a mystery, and might be a hybrid, as it never sets seed here. From Turkey, and probably related to S. ringens, S. interrupta, or S. recognita. Whatever it might be, it is an asset to a herbaceous border. Totally hardy, the long flowering period is from May until September. The shrub is smothered with branching stems with large purple/blue flowers. The leaves are trisect, grey-green, and aromatic. Propagation is from cuttings, and the plant is best replaced after 3 or 4 years, as the base gets very woody, which can create an untidy appearance. Up to 3 ft. tall with a larger spread. Salvia pennellii (Sp. from Tamaulipas.) From the Tamaulipas region of Mexico, this has tentatively been identified as S. pennellii. In Australia, it has been given the name 'Tammy'. A tender salvia, it flowers in November/December, and will brighten up the greenhouse. Growing up to 4ft. it has lots of violet-blue flowers in this period. After flowering it can be pruned down to new shoots a few inches from the ground. The leaves are long, narrow, and slightly oblong in shape, hence the name. Salvia darcyi 'Large Form' A splendid Mexican salvia discovered around 1990, this is becoming more well-known in the UK. It has also been known as S. oresbia. It will grow up to 5ft. x 3ft. here and makes a great partner to a blue salvia such as 'Indigo Spires'. Happy in full sun or partial shade, it is hardy to about -6 degrees, resprouting in May. It will flower from July until frost, but earlier-flowering specimens can be obtained by over-wintering cuttings indoors. It occasionally sets seed, which can result in slight variations in the brightness of the red flowers, and also their size. Somewhat brittle, support is helpful. The foliage is very sticky, so care must be taken when it is grown in close proximity to other plants. Salvia 'Phyllis Fancy' A similar hybrid to S. 'Waverly', and maybe from the same parentage. (See page 6.) The furry white flowers are tinged with a lavender-blue blush which becomes more pronounced as the days get shorter. This is probably more vigorous than 'Waverly'. At Cabrillo College in California, I saw a magnificent specimen 8ft x 8ft, smothered in blooms in September. I only recently acquired this salvia, but I am hopeful that it will be more floriferous than its cousin. Though reputed to withstand a degree or two of frost, I will be take cuttings for the winter. Last year's cuttings flowered on and off through the winter. A potentially exciting new salvia for the UK. Salvia hirtella This salvia seems to grow twice as large here as it does in its native habitat in the Cotopaxi province in Ecuador! It is a tender species with bright scarlet flowers, and very glossy foliage. It is unusual in that new stems from the base of the plant are horizontal for about 2 ft. then become erect as flowering buds appear. Just as it is about to flower here, it gets caught by frost. However, cuttings even with flower buds, taken in late summer, will root easily and a more compact plant will flower indoors in late Autumn and Winter. My compact plant was 1ft. x 2ft last winter, the parent was discarded due to its alarming growth. PAGE EIGHT 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. PAGE NINE Salvia patens 'Chilcombe' Also known as 'Lavender Lady', this cultivar of the popular Mexican species, S. patens, has large lavender flowers. It has proved to be very hardy in the UK, but seeds are plentiful and nearly always come true. In colder areas, the tuberous roots can be dug up, and treated like Dahlias. Not quite such a striking colour as the species, or 'Cambridge Blue', I have found this cultivar less prone to the wilt that can occasionally affect the other forms. Salvia simulans Originally thought to be a form of S. carnea, this has been tentatively identified as S. simulans. A tender, winter-flowering salvia, this has a lot of deep red flowers, flushed with white. This was collected in Mexico. In its non-flowering season, i.e. summer, the plant can be placed outside, away from direct sunlight. Hot sun seems to give this salvia problems. Grown in a container, the unusual burgundy colour of the underside of the foliage can be appreciated, making this a most attractive salvia all year-round. Propagation is from seed or cuttings. I suspect that this could be a rampant grower, so I regularly prune it to encourage bushiness. Salvia leucophylla From South-West California, where it can reach massive proportions, S. leucophylla will only reach 3ft.x 2ft. here. It has numerous cultivars in the USA. Unfortunately, it is not an easy plant to get into flower in the UK, though the silvery-white foliage is very pleasant. It will not tolerate our damp winters, so two years ago, I kept it in a pot, in gritty compost, under glass, and gave it hardly any water until March. It then started a lot of new growth, and flowered well for 6 weeks in spring, with nice pink/lilac flowers in large whorls. The same treatment last winter..but no flowers! Propagation is from cuttings here. (Photo courtesy of Michael Charters.) Salvia rubiginosa This unusual salvia originates from Mexico and Guatemala. A tender, winter-flowering species, it is a good plant for a pot, and only grows to 3ft.x 2ft. Kept in a bright position in the greenhouse, purple bracts start forming in February. This is accompanied by some leaf-drop. For a month nothing seems to happen, then all at once, numerous small blue and white flowers appear from the bracts. The colour combination is very striking, and the whole plant is soon smothered in blooms. After flowering, the plant can be cut back, and left outside for the summer. Cuttings should be taken as I have not found any seed here. Salvia gesneriflora A giant amongst salvias, this can grow to 25ft. tall in the Sierra Madre Occidental in Mexico. I have to hack it back when it reaches the roof of my 12ft. greenhouse. The plant is frost-tolerant, but it must be grown indoors in winter to prevent the buds and flowers from freezing. The large flowers are plentiful, and 2 inches long, a brilliant shade of scarlet. There are variations..one cultivar has flowers that fade to pink. 'Tequila' is an excellent form with near-black calyces. Although it takes up a lot of space, it is doubtless one of the best and easiest winter-flowering species. The word "spectacular" springs to mind. Easily renewed every year from cuttings, this salvia will require a large pot, and frequent watering when in flower. Salvia purpurea A variable salvia from Central America and Southern Mexico, this is sometimes confused with S. iodantha. The purple flowers are an unusual colour, and can be seen from December for two months. In the greenhouse, my plant has grown up to 4ft. and is a bit straggly, probably due to lack of light. It flowered poorly this winter, unlike in previous years, hence I am showing a photo by Adrian Lovatt during his recent trip to Mexico. This seems to have much larger flowers than those of my plant. Frost-tender, when in flower, it is a nice contrast to the red winter-flowering salvias. Salvia azurea Naturalised over a wide area of the South-East USA, this is a hardy perennial in Southern England. It will grow up to 5 ft. tall, but must have support as the stems have a very floppy habit. Flowering usually commences at the begimning of September, and lasts for about 1 month. The plentiful, small flowers are a delightful shade of azure blue, the lower lip having a white blotch. A sheltered, sunny area is recommended for S. azurea. Propagation is usually from cuttings, though it does sometimes set seed. Dormant in winter, it will start resprouting in March or April. Salvia haenkei A very fast-growing species from Bolivia, up to 8ft. here in one season, this salvia does need some support, as the stems are rather lax. The large red flowers appear in June, and blooming will continue until frost. The abundance of flowers makes this is great plant for the back of a border. It seems to prefer a sunny spot. I have 2 forms of S. haenkei, very similar, but one has sticky stems and foliage, the other does not. It is known to hybridise with S. orbigbaei in Bolivia. It is tender, so cuttings should be taken. I have not found seed here. It has been known to survive winter outside in central France, but not in the UK. Salvia reptans From Western Texas, Mexico, and Guatemala, this is a tuberous-rooted, somewhat sprawling salvia. It makes a good ground-cover plant. 12 inch stems with bright blue flowers appear above the mass of very narrow, dark green leaves for most of the summer. It also grows well in a container. A sunny spot is needed. It can be a bit temperamental about flowering some years, but in full bloom it is great. Some forms are more upright than others. Allegedly hardy, I have lost this salvia in some winters, probably because of waterlogging. Cuttings can be slow to root, but seed can sometimes be found. Salvia spathacea A Californian native, this can spread rapidly by underground rhizomes. 3ft. flowering stems appear above the sticky foliage at any time from late spring to mid-summer, and the deep red flowers are in whorls, like those of other Californian salvias. It is reputedly hardy to -10 degrees, but good drainage in winter is essential. I once kept this plant in a large pot over-winter in the greenhouse, where it remained evergreen, and flowering started in April. There are several forms of S. spathacea cultivated in the USA, a particularly good one is 'Kawatre'. Salvia microphylla 'Kew Red' This form of S. microphylla has been known as neurepia, grahamii, amongst other names. I have settled on 'Kew Red'. This is a particularly vigourous shrub, and if not pruned, can grow up to 6ft. Flowering starts as early as April, provided there has not been a late frost, and will continue until November. The leaves are particularly large for a microphylla, and the large flowers are bright red. Drought-tolerant, this should be propagated from cuttings, as seeds cannot be guaranteed to come true. It is best replaced every 3 or 4 years, as it gets woody and untidy. Salvia xalapensis From the same area as S. polystachya, (see page 8) I am not sure whether this is S. xalapensis or not. These species are often confused. Years ago I had what was named as S. xalapensis, and it was a rather weedy species with tiny, dull purple flowers. This photo was taken at Kingston Maurward College in Dorset. To my eye, it looked very much like S. polystachya, but this plant was altogether more compact and tidy. I doubt if the confusion with these species will be resolved in the near future. Still, any plant with bright, pale blue flowers in November is a pleasure. PAGE TEN Salvia nutans A very unusual hardy perennial species from Eastern Europe and Russia, this plant was grown from seed collected in Romania. From large basal foliage, the leafless flowering stems arise up to 3 ft. tall. This is known as the "nodding sage" as the the racemes curl downwards. Tight whorls of mid-blue flowers can be seen in early Summer. It does set seed, but it also tends to hybridise with similar neighbours. Hardly spectacular, but an important salvia for a serious collector. Huge drifts of this can be seen in the Balkans in Spring. Unfortunately, I only have one plant. Salvia patens 'Cambridge Blue' The large sky-blue flowers of this cultivar are rapidly becoming well-known, and this salvia can be found in some of the better garden centres. Like the other forms of S. patens, this grows well in part-shade, and seems to resent too much sunshine. The colour of the flowers is mind-blowing, but there are never many flowers at any one time. Perhaps a light blue form of 'Guanajuato' will materialise before long. Occasionally subject to a viral wilt, this is quite hardy, though seeds and cuttings can be taken easily. This, grown with S, tubiflora (see page 7), creates an interesting combination...if you like orange and sky-blue together! It works for me. Salvia microphylla 'Robin's Pride' This was from seed that I collected 2 years ago in California from S. microphylla 'Hot Lips' (see page 2). Quite unlike 'Hot Lips' , this is an extremely vigorous cultivar which grew to 4ft. x 4ft. in one season. It seems to be quite hardy, but has not set any seed here. Plentiful, large, red flowers are displayed along red stems. There is a cultivar in the USA known as 'Huntington' which seems to be very similar. But I have cheekily named it 'Robin's Pride'. Easy to root from cuttings, and at the risk of blowing my own trumpet, I have to say that this is a superb shrub, flowering from May until November. Salvia omeiana An amazing salvia from China, this was collected on a plant-finding expedition by the owners of Crug Farm Plants in North Wales. I have had this plant for only 4 weeks, and it has tripled in size. The huge leaves are green on top, but they are an amazing violet colour on the underside. I have not seen this in flower, but the flowers are yellow, perhaps similar to the Chinese species on page 5, though the foliage is completely different. I understand that S. omeiana thrives in cool, cloudy conditions, as it has at Crug, and, unlike many Chinese salvias, does not react badly to wet winter conditions. Hopefully I will be able to show a picture of the flowers later. Salvia tarayensis Also known as S. azurea ssp. mexicana, this is a really attractive summer-flowering plant from North-East Mexico. I query the name 'tarayensis', also whilst I can see a definite resemblance to S. azurea (see page 9), I fail to see where S. mexicana is involved. This a small plant, up to 18 inches, with pretty blue flowers.Seems to be quite hardy here, cutting material is not forthcoming, but it does set viable seed. A bit of a mystery, but a lovely small, floriferous salvia for the front of a border, or a rockery. It flowers intermittently from June to October. Salvia viscosa This hardy perennial is found in Israel and Lebanon, but has also naturalised in Italy! The flowers are very small, and the plant can appear to be very insignificant. On close inspection, the flowers can be seen to contain every shade of red and pink. I hope that Peter's photo will illustrate the beauty of the flowers. From rough, basal foliage, flowering stems will be about 2 ft. tall. Blooming commences in June, and with regular deadheading, will continue until September. It often seeds around...though no hybrids have been found here.