Super Salvias!

Thanks! At least it's not a result of me being a total muppet!
I'll try again next year...............

Feels a bit cheeky, but I've spent many an hour looking at the photos and reading your descriptions and would love to try my hand at a few more.

 

I have been collecting Salvia seeds for some weeks now, some new ones, some old ones. Some have hardly produced any seeds, due to the lateness in flowering this year, and bumble-bee interference! Normally I publish my list in November, but as I said before, this will be delayed and should be available shortly after Christmas. I send seeds world-wide every year, problem is that postage price increases each year. Should you be interested, email me at [email protected] and you will be included on my distribution list.

Just for info, this was last year's seed-list, which has NOT been updated yet

 

For some reason, unable to access this, will try again tomorrow.

 

Salvia "Black Knight" in bloom (moved into the greenhouse for its own good a week or two ago)...............


Good sized pannicles (is that the correct word?) with good colour.....................

 

How hardy is salvia Hotlips? I have some planted out and also a big potful, which can be taken into the greenhouse.

Ditto S. patens, seed grown. I have lost these in the past, not sure if they are short-lived or just nesh.

Ditto the big tall blue one, about 3 foot. Might be S. guarantica. That one's planted outside, and I think my cuttings died.

 

Bombproof around here.

Borderline. Lift mine, put in a pot and keep them cool in the shed.

That narrowed it down then! There are only eight hundred or so species
If it is S. guarantica, I find it hardy, although drainage is key to it's survival.

 

Ta for that. looking good for the Hotlips, then!
The tall one might be Black Knight though your photos look purply, whereas mine is dark blue.

 

The colour in my photo is a spot on match for my plant. Take a look at this page and take your pick..............

 

Duh, looking at it out of the window right now and mine is extremely similar to yours, an even darker purple, if anything. That's a handy reference page!

 

Are there any salvias which are tough as old boots and which can be direct sown outside in spring or started in a cold frame? I haven't got a greenhouse and due to unforeseen circumstances I won't be able to have any pots of soil / compost in the house. I haven't grown salvias before but would like to have a go so have been looking to buy some seeds. Any ideas on what I could go for?

 

This is even better!

 

Yes.
pm me this evening and I'll expand - got to go now though.

 

Will do.....catch you later.

 

Hmmm! Glad I looked at this thread, as my s. patens is still outside. It is in a pot agains a west-facing brick wall. Do I need to pop it into / under the shed yet, or can it wait a little longer? Lowest temp 1c for the next week, according to forecast.

How tender is it? Pelargonium-tender, or French tarragon tender?

 

It will be OK for now Sian. If the soil's sodden and it is subjected t to prolonged freezing, it will keel over. The tuber is similar to that of a dahlia, a white, fleshy root that doesn't like being in water in Winter. If it is growing in a free draining soil then it should be OK,