Sages for ages

With about 1000 species, salvias comprise the largest genus in the mint family. Let's see just a few of them. You can sing the rainbow song to this group of flowering plants: "Red and yellow and pink and green, purple and orange and blue, not even indigo." The large range of colors, shapes and sizes of salvias make them one of the most versatile and interesting flowering perennials to grow. There are all shades of pink, red, blue and purple and orange, apricot, white, indigo, yellow, lemon and two-tone flowers.

Some varieties can grow up to 4 m tall, while others are almost terrestrial. Salvias are very easy to grow, as well as drought tolerant and frequent frosts once established. Some flowers year-round in frost-free areas. Due to the breadth of these categories, If you plan carefully, salvias will bloom every month of the year.

1. 'Indigo Spires' (S. longispicata × farinacea)

Its distinctive feature is the brilliant bright-blue flower spikes Various, it is suitable for pots. Mexican marigolds are a bee attractor and beautiful when planted alongside the vibrant tangerine of Tagetes lemonii. Height 1 m. 'Mystic Spires' is a very compact form at 50cm tall.

2. 'White Sage' (S. abiana)

The fragrant silvery leaves of this salvia can be used to make mulch sticks, making it a great contrast plant in the garden. Flowers are white. Grows to about 1.5m tall and a meter wide.

3. 'Betheli' (S. involucrata)

There are a few varieties of this species, but 'Betheli' has lily-pink flowers that appear on long arching branches. give Grow and fill this one room (2 m × 3 m). 'Pink Icicles' is a pale pink form.

4. 'Forsythia sage' (S. matrensis)

It is one of the few yellow-grass varieties of salvia that can grow to heights of 2m-plus. It has a bit of a spreading habit, so give it plenty of room or separate sections to maintain compact clumps.

5. Golden Salvia (S. africana-lutea)

For its unusual terracotta/brown flowers that contrast wonderfully against its grey-green foliage, this striking salvia is hard to resist. Growing to about 1m tall, it produces flowers on its erect stiff leaves from late winter to summer.

6. Black Sage (S. Discoloration)

It is a small-growing variety Foliage with a silvery underside. Indigo flowers are stunning. Height 80 cm.

7. Mexican Bush Sage (S. lucantha)

Comes in a few colors. Long, slender spikes of velvety flowers in purple, white, purple and white, and pink and white. Blooming in autumn, it responds well to a good prune in winter and is a great cut flower. Height 1 m.