South American Plants – Salvia

Name - The word ‘salvia’ comes from the Latin salvare meaning to heal or save. Sage's long history of medicinal uses means it has been used for curing everything from colds to snake bites. Some varieties are tasty herbs while others are grown entirely for their beautiful flowers.

Description - Hardy perennials, mainly in blues, running from pale violet to a deep, rich shade of red.

Origin - Most salvia types are native to Mexico and have some of the showiest, most flamboyant colours. These are usually tender. Salvias need a hot sunny position in light, average soil which must be free-draining. Salvias are very easy to grow, very durable, and relatively maintenance free. All have high tolerances for dry conditions because they can be drought deciduous as necessity dictates. In extreme conditions, they will retain just a little tip growth which will be enough to carry on marginal photosynthesis and when they receive water, they will get a flush of new leaves. When you do water, water the soil, keeping moisture off the leaves Sages bloom in late spring to early summer, with intermittent flowering through the whole summer, if both water and sun are available. If sages are in the shade and water is continually allowed to remain on their leaves, some species may develop powdery mildew. Old salvias can become leggy, showing their woody bases, but a spring trim will promote plenty of fresh new growth. Slugs and snails are the big enemy in spring, attacking the tasty new growth.

South American Salvia photograph by MShades, used under a creative commons attribution licence

 

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