Super Salvias 2014..

Watched it - great to see so many shrubby Sals. And the glorious Amistad. Useful advice on pruning too,
Jenny

 

Salvia involucrata "Bethellii"....................

 

The Salvia are still looking good.

Black and Blue................




S.microphylla.....................


Raspberry Royalle...................


S.confertiflora....................




S.patens...................


The red form of S.microphylla.................


S.involucrata .....................


Salvia cacaliifolia...............


S.urica...................


And my favourite, S.discolor..................

 

Somehow I forgot Salvia stolonifera.............

 

Salvia leucantha.................


The colouring is not as I expected. Down to low levels of light at the moment maybe?

 

I have a Salvia Patens which I grew for the first time this year. I learned recently that it is not fully hardy. With frost and night temp of -2° C forecast in the next few days, should this plant be dug up now and stored like a Dahlia, or can it be left in the ground and heavily mulched to act as a barrier to frost?

I don't have a greenhouse. The soil is clay but well dug before planting.

 

If this is as cold as it gets they will be fine. As that cannot be relied on though I always dig my best plants up, drop in a pot of moist (but not damp) compost and shove them in the shed for the winter.

 

@Paul Benson, I have this season's seeds of Salvia Patens light and dark blue. They are easy to grow from seed from March onwards and kept on a bright window sill 'til May.
PM me with your address if you would like some,
Jenny

 

Hi Jenny,

I can't see a way how to PM members on this site.

 

The seed list from Robins Salvias will be mailed out this weekend. If you signed up keep an eye on your emails. If you haven't signed up but are interested the link is below...................

http://www.robinssalvias.com/index.html

Not the cheapest seeds but the choice is outstanding and many are unavailable elsewhere in the UK (and often hard to find worldwide). But most importantly the germination rate is very high.

 

@longk

please what is the bluest variety

 

Of the ones that I've grown the Royal Blue of S.urica is probably the winner...............




S.patens "Oxford Blue" is rather good.................


"Black and Blue"..........................


S.cacaliifolia is rather good.....................

 

I don't think Robin will mind me pasting this here. I'ts contained within his nbew 2015 Catalogue out now :
Sowing Salvia seeds
Please note that Salvia seeds should not be buried, they should be sown on the surface, on moist, not wet compost, maybe with just a hint of loose compost or vermiculite to cover, as they need light to germinate. BUT, away from direct sunlight! That is most important. Ideal temperature is 21 degrees C or 70 degrees F. I cover the seed pots with cling-film, (saran-wrap) removing this after germination. Species from Eastern Europe and the Middle East germinate better after stratification, but I keep these in the refrigerator. I would suggest that in the Northern hemisphere, seeds should be sown late February/early March, as overwintering them with little daylight may cause rotting. So be patient!!! Keep them cool and dry until then. Also provide protection from slugs and snails! Also in the UK, do watch out for greenfly who may nibble young seedlings.
Jenny

 

Well, that's my order in!

 

The only readily available Salvia I've grown for the first time, which is pure blue (rather than indigo or violet) is Salvia Patens. But it is only half hardy. Don't know if mine will survive the winter as it was left in the ground.