Secret salvias

摘要

There are still plenty of lesser-knoiun varieties of sage to surprise and delight even the most, seasoned gardener. Chances are you're already acquainted with several members of the salvia family You've probably grown the soft-leaved culinary sages, the bright-flowered bedding salvias, the reliable perennials nemorosa and X sylvestris. And, in recent years, perhaps like me, you've been seducedby the large, intensely blue blooms of patens. All fantastic performers but did you knowthere's a whole worldof lessei-known salivas out there just waiting for you to try them? They come in a vast range of flower shapes, sizes and colours, have long blooming seasons, are drought tolerant and resistant to pests and diseases. Plus they're loved by butterflies and bees, who feed on their nectar and pollen, while birds, like goldfinches, adore the seeds. With all this going for them it's surprising they've stayed a secret for so long.