Growing salvias

It seems UK gardeners are rediscovering salvias. Growing up I thought they were just blousy bedding plants, but I know better and now they are key plants in my climate change garden

Salvias are generally drought resistant, long flowering and many have scented foliage, plus they are great for attracting pollinators too. They are the perfect option for a hot, dry border with free draining soil.  

There are annual, biennial and perennial salvias. Planted in the right spot, the shrubby and hardy herbaceous salvias can overwinter.

There are a number of half hardy species that need protection from frost, so are either grown in pots or lifted and moved to a greenhouse, for example Salvia blepharophylla,  Salvia cacaliifolia, pineapple sage (Salvia rutulans), and Salvia uliginosa, while Salvia patens has tubers and can be mulched or lifted like a dahlia. 

Some of the popular annual salvias, including Salvia farinacea (mealy cup sage) and Salvia splendens (scarlet sage) are actually short-lived tender perennials too, and will survive winter if given protection.

I grow many of the half hardy salvias. My favourite has to be Salvia Mystic Spires (in the photograph). This is a st…