Salvia fruticosa

Salvia fruticosa Greek Skies

The cultivar of Salvia fruticosa called 'Greek Skies' is an unusual specimen for Sydney gardens, as it is a Mediterranean plant, found in various countries including Southern Italy. It looks a lot like the culinary sage (Salvia officinalis) but grows better and forms a shrub shape, about 60 cm tall and quite wide, with scented, silver-grey leaves and gorgeous blue flowers in spring. It needs to grow in a hot, dry spot to perform at its best, and is drought and frost tolerant once established. It looks great grown with other dry-position plants that do well in Sydney, such as rosemary, irises and Arctotis. It needs to be cut back after flowering. It is easy to propagate from cuttings struck in a well-draining medium. It will only last a couple of years in Sydney but it is still well worth growing, as it is so easily replaced by a new cutting. Cut it back quite hard after flowering is finished.