ARTICLES
Introduction
Planting
Colour
Springtime
Tulips
Catalogues
Seeds
Books
Weeds
- Lost Horizons, R. R. #1, Acton, Ont. L7J 2L7, 519-853-3085; losthor@stn.net $3.
- The Perennial Gardens, 13139 - 224th St., Maple Ridge, B.C.
V4R 2P6, 604-467-4218; info@perennialgardener.com $4.
Copyright Marjorie Harris, 2005
Articles - Colour
Salvias and Solidagos
Two plants are rapidly climbing to the top of my favourites' list: salvias and solidagos. The latter are the much-maligned goldenrods (often unfairly considered weeds or allergenic plants); the former are thought of as common annuals confined to pots and holes in the border.
This is no longer true for either plant. Each family has hardy North American natives in its genus, and the new cultivars being recognized make this an exciting year for both plants.
We usually think of salvias in terms of the bright blue annuals such as S. viridis (syn horminum) and S. farinacae 'Victoria.' But there's much more to them than meets the eye. With 900 species, entire books have been devoted to salvias (the latest by Betsy Clebsch, A Book of Salvias: Sages for Every Garden, Timber Press). No higher praise can be rendered unto a genus. One collector at a conference earlier this year had a garden containing only salvias. They were in bloom for three seasons and looked wonderful.
Most salvias will need a sunny, well-drained site with humusy soil, where they are easily grown from seed. All will require deadheading for continued bloom. Leave the perennial plants alone in the autumn, and don't cut back too early in spring. Give them generous lashings of water at the beginning, then leave them alone.
What really sold me on salvias was the introduction of S. verticillata 'Purple Rain' a few years ago. It's a sensational plant, with indigo blue flower clusters framed by deep green leaves. Most salvias like plenty of sun. And though my garden doesn't get much light, this plant bloomed for weeks.
I placed it in front of a golden elder, Sambucus racemosa 'Goldfinch,' and the two are made for each other. I whack the elder back practically to the ground in the spring to keep the golden colour and control the size, and I deadhead the salvia regularly.
That led to trying a gigantic form called S. guaranitica 'Purple Majesty,' which grew to two metres. I stuck it next to a hybrid form of goldenrod called Solidago 'Golden Wings.' This is a dramatic combination of deep purple and intense yellow, and drop-dead gorgeous in any border.
The salvia doesn't seem to be reappearing this year. But if it insists on being an annual, I'll keep on buying it. Like a twit, I didn't take a cutting of the salvia last fall. It would have been easy to keep a few small pieces going in a bright windowsill -- all it needed was a pot of sand and some watering. Most salvias are easy to propagate.
S. azurea var. 'Grandiflora' is a native with real presence -- it grows to two metres. Purple sage, A. officinalis, comes back every year in this garden and is a valuable addition year-round. Then there are all the other lovely sages, including a golden and tricoloured form. They are among the best container plants around.
A couple of years ago, the Perennial Plant Association named S. nemerosa x 'May Night' plant of the year, an honour richly deserved. It's a compact plant, 60 centimetres high, which blooms from May to July. Other easy-to-find cultivars are 'East Friesland,' a violet-blue that blooms into autumn with deadheading; 'Blue Hill,' which grows to 40 cm; and 'Schneehuegel,' which has white stalks and grows to 60 cm.
You can find a salvia in a wide range of colours, including brilliant red, magenta, pink, and all hues of blue and purple. But you won't find it in yellow. For that, goldenrod is the answer.
This is a glorious plant, and I let it run around my garden just to attract butterflies and bees. I believe the new garden varieties will become indispensable to gardeners. They are not nearly as rampant as the wild form, and they have a variety of heights and bloom forms that make them perfect for the late summer and autumn garden.
You'll find no pictures but plenty of information about these plants in the following catalogues:
CONTACT MARJORIE HARRIS
link to native plant nurseries & info Evergreen