Salvia adenophora

Salvia adenophora

This is a tall, willowy species from Mexico, with clusters of clear red, furry flowers from autumn to late spring. It has attractive textured foliage with a camphor scent. It grows to about 2 m in height and can tolerate a part-shaded site. It benefits from the support of other shrubs nearby. It looks effective growing with Abutilon and Clivia, which have hot-coloured blooms at the same time. I grow it intertwined with Salvia confertiflora, which has spires of orange flowers held in velvety red-brown calyces, over the same lengthy blooming period.

I find it does 'run' a bit, creeping about to form a clump. This doesn't worry me as it is in a fairly wild part of my garden; however, it is useful to know about this aspect of the plant. It is sensitive to heavy frost. It is best propagated by cuttings, or by digging up a rooted piece. Cut it back hard when flowering finishes.

Postscript: I eventually got fed up with this plants wandering ways, even in my 'wild' area! I think it is fine in big gardens where there is plenty of space for it to spread.