Salvias Slide Show

It has been estimated that there are some 900 species of salvia.  Although we do not grow more than about 30 species at Ventnor at any one time we have over the years tried out many.  Some are little more than a botanical curiosity others are firm favourites that we grow every year.  Salvias provide us with some of the most floriferous plants for early summer through to late autumn. They can be annual, biennial, perennial, sub-shrub or shrub. Except for the bulk of the herbaceous perennials, many species will tolerate little or no frost, sunny protected sites are best for salvias in the UK.  Good drainage is essential, particularly for the herbaceous perennials during the dormant season; wet rather than low temperatures being the main killer.  All salvias can be easily raised from seed, the shrubby and most of the herbaceous species can be propagated from softwood cuttings taken at anytime.  The use of warm, humid conditions and a well drained sandy rooting medium give best results.

Some of the many varieties that we grow are shown here, we regularly sell these and others to visitors at the Garden.

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