Salvia

Salvia (Sage) is a group or family of ornamentals that has enjoyed tremendous popularity for many years.

Most varieties thrive in the garden with a minimum of effort and treat us to wonderful displays of abundant blooms.

Companies offering seed and or plants at the wholesale or retail level have found it very profitable in introducing new cultivars to the trade and we would have to say that their efforts have been rewarding to many gardeners as well.

At this time I would like to warn you to stay away from the only nightmare sage that I have ever done battle with.

My wife is a professional greenhouse grower and I must say that she is very good in her chosen field.

No she’s not standing over me and forcing my good comments to be listed here, I’m simply stating the facts as they are.

Anyway a couple of years ago she brought home a new variety that she insisted that I try and believe me I do enjoy checking out new plants.

She handed several plants to me and said “this is Black-n-Blue Sage; try it there’s been good press on it”.

So I did!

Big, big mistake as it has put its best efforts towards trying to take over the whole bed and I find it almost impossible to pull or spray it fast enough to get rid of it.

I don’t know if this has been enough to convince to stay away from this monster but if not then all I can say is GOOD LUCK.

That’s the bad news all of the rest is very good news and will mention that not all Sage varieties have the same cold hardiness zone rating as you will find that they vary from zone 3 down to zone 6.

Most Salvias range in height from one to two feet with one growing up to six feet.

Foliage varies in color from a variety featuring bronze, purple and red tones to the more conventional green and gray-green leaves.

You can expect to enjoy flower colors such as:

• light blue
• sky blue
• white
• azure
• violet-blue
• red
• hot pink
• violet-blue
• blueish-purple
• violet
• purple

Be sure to plant in full sun for best results.