Super Salvias!

Maybe take some cuttings as "insurance" too?

 

Good idea, Kristen !

 

As we near the end of the season I can think of only one word to describe my Salvias this year - RUBBISH!!

I have two S.elegans and they are only just starting to bud. "Black and Blue" was very late, "Black Knight" should bloom before the frosts (hopefully) and S.forskaehlei has just grown foliage.

However, the seedling Salvias have come on well this year, so fingers crossed for 2014. That is except for S.bulleyana - they only ever seem to grow to a couple of centimetres with lots of small leaves and then die on me!

This is a success of sorts though, even if it was an accident! "Black and Blue" was complimented nicely by self seeded Nicotiana langsdorfii......................

 

I agree with you Keith. A disappointing year for Salvias on the whole,
Jenny

 

Yes, most Salvias have been 4-6 weeks late to flower this year....such a cold spring, then a 3-week intense heatwave in July, causing many flower buds to abort. But now, OCTOBER!!!, my Salvia garden looking better than ever, was filmed by the BBC last week........possibly to be shown on "The Great British Garden Revival" in December.......but will believe it if it happens.

Never give up, all summers here are different!

Black Knight normally gets frosted just as it starts to flower.......grow 'Amistad' instead, this is sensational, and look out for Salvia 'Theresia' which may be released next year.

Also look at my website www.robinssalvias .com re updates on my next Salvia seed-list. This may not be available until after Christmas, as I hope to collect seeds in South America in December.

 

Should have written www.robinssalvias.com

 

Thanks for the update @nibor and the crumbs of encouragement too.! I was given 2 plants earlier in the year S.Hians and S. Dolicentha ( see post #335 dated August 14th on this thread). They are quite a lot bigger now but still no sign of a flower spike forming. Is it too late to expect one now? And, is it hardy enough to leave out in pots thru' Winter?,
Jenny

 

I had no idea that you were THE MAN Nibor! It's clear now though.......

 

Don't know about "THE MAN".......however, dolichantha and hians (If you have the real thing, which is unlikely!) are unlikely to flower now. Should be ok in pots in winter, in the most sheltered spot, but don't let them get waterlogged, or they may rot.

 

Well, if I want Salvia inspiration guess where I go!

Two questions if I may?
1/ Why can I not get S.discolor cuttings to strike? What's the secret?

and

2/ Is it possible to get an email alert when the seeds are going up for sale?

 

fabulous salvias nibor I'll certainly be checking out your seed list added you to my favourites list

 

Can't believe that I never shared that one with you Simbad!

 

@nibor , is there any chance of s. hintonii ever making it to these shores?

 

You may well have done longk my memory also been having major computer problems and lost all my favourites list

 

Salvia discolor is not easy from cuttings. Best taken in early summer when there is new growth, can take a few weeks.

As for the seed list email me at the address on my site and I will add you to my distribution list.

Sadly very doubtful if S. hintonii will ever find its way here, it is only found in a remote and currently dangerous area.