Salvia discolor

Andean silver-leaf sage

Location

The Sunken Garden and The Terrace

Description:

A small, to 0.5 m (18") tender perennial from Peru with dramatic, purple-black flowers and pistachio-green calyces that appear from late summer to early Autumn with contrasting silvery leaves and sticky stems, which are densely cloaked in woolly, white hairs. Best planted where it can be appreciated tumbling over the edge of a wall or container.

Site and Care:

Humus rich, fertile, light, well-drained soil of any type in full sun. Deadhead to encourage more flowers. It is not hardy in the UK and should be over-wintered in a greenhouse or conservatory where it will continue to flower until February. Easily propagated from cuttings in late summer or division in spring.