Super Salvias - 2016

PS, that's only half of them

 

I believe my Salvias were attempted to be delivered on Friday but as no-one was in I got a note through, and they are apparently coming today now. UKMail are a shambles though, seriously puts me off using Hayloft in future if they use them. In the past 2 years I've had 3 items "delivered" by them and each one I've had a nightmare with. 2 where I rang up to say I'll collect it from the depot, "OK" said the man - arrive at the Depot to be told it's in the back of someone's van out for delivery ).

Also the "sorry we missed you" card reference numbers they give you never work. Apparently there is a 3-day delay to the reference # being added to their database. It boggles the mind why you're given one then, it really does!

Anyway today we're not in, again, but as well as ringing the depot to request this, I've also left a big note on my frontdoor saying "UKMAIL please leave parcel with neighbour".

As well as my own frustration levels I'd worry for the plants if I don't take receipt of them today, they'll have been in the sorting office in their packaging since Friday evening.

 

Not as bad as Yodel though, had a delivery due from them last week, he didnt even bother knocking, just popped a "sorry we missed you" card through the door. Guess he was running behind and wanted to save some time, but I was home, spotted him and made a complaint. Not that it will make a difference, they have been a shambles for years.

 

Yep I've had that too. I've come to the conclusion that all delivery companies are just as bad as each other. Although at least Royal Mail have a sorting office which is open more convenient hours (and closer) than the rest!

I should add by the way, that after my big rant further up the page, the package in question wasn't even my Salvias. They're yet to arrive, should be any day now though ...

 

My Salvia plants arrived today, hurrah! Looking very healthy indeed.

@Anthony Rogers not 100% sure what is best to do now to look after them / encourage growth - any advice? As you're a few weeks ahead of me

 

Hi Ben,

I put mine into small pots, I think they're about 2", just so they can get a decent rootball .

I'll plant them out in their permanent positions in about a fortnights time.

@longk , from the list above do you know if they're all hardy as there was no mention of hardiness in the advert or the literature that came with them.

 

Thanks, I did the same this afternoon (only had 8 small pots so 4 went into 4" pots - hope that's not too big!).

The plants were packaged brilliantly although as you say the literature that came with it was a bit generic and limited (nothing specific about Salvia care/planting instruction).

 

I would say no to Amistad and probably no to African Skies. As far as the rest go I would say that they're probably hardy in all but the hardest of winters except for Hot Lips which is indestructible! Clearly good drainage is a must.

 

First Salvia into bloom this year is S.gesneriiflora.................


It should easily be my first Salvia into bloom as it is a winter blooming species but after several false starts (despite being kept frost free) it is almost June before it has seen fit to bloom!

 

The small flowered hybrids and cultivars (greggii, x jamensis and microphylla types) have started coming back into bloom. S.microphylla "Pink Blush" is the first...............


And a couple of additions this year are now in bloom;
Nachtvlinder................


And Blue Note...................

 

And they look as if all of them are all red so far. Mine did that after a few years.

 

"Love and Wishes"..................

 

I cut my S Hotlips down severely last winter and it has only regrown to the bud stage, the flowers normally come out red at first and red and white later but as it is later in coming to flower it may be red and white on opening, time will tell.
S Icing Sugar hasn't got to the bud stage yet.
My latest acquisition, S. j.Melen.