What is flowering now
Salvia variana
Salvia variana is our flower of the month for July.
A lovely hardy shrub, 1.2mH, flowering in the depths of winter with lots of spires of cerise flowers.
Flowers: are semi tubular, a lovely pink colour with a paler mauve pink, calyx. The hood is quite long , with 2 neat side lobes and a large middle lobe, often curled back; all in the same colour, with a small darkened beeline helping to guide the bees and insects into the tube.
Flowers are in tight clustered whorls around a pale stem. These form a layered approach, with approx. 4 flowers coming out at any one time, whilst the others buds, wait their turn to open. Flowers develop at the bottom of the stem, with more flowers emerging at the tip.
Flower clusters are only about 6cm long. but very numerous. These appear at the top of the stems, well above the leaves to attract any passing insects or even tiny Honeyeaters such as the Eastern Spinebill.
Flowering begins in early Winter, continuing until early Spring.
Calyces: are a muted mauve/ pink colour, covered with soft white hairs, lobes have a dull point and slight ribs. remaining open after the flower has fallen. These stay on after the flower has finished. The whole flower head looks untidy at the end of the flowering period. These need to be dead headed regularly to encourage new flowers, but also to keep the shrub looking attractive.
Leaves: are small, heart shaped, extending straight out from the stem, a dull midgreen colour, a corrugated surface, to channel any moisture down to the roots. The pedicels are white and furry as are the back of the leaves .
The main stem with young growth is white and furry, which hardens to a dull brown/ grey colour as the stem ages.
Salvia variana : flowers throughout Winter, adding that much needed burst of pink colouring in the garden.
After a shower of rain, these flower heads shine like jewels with the sunlight shining through the raindrops. Coupling with other vibrant pinks /purples/ violets and whites, this evergreen bushy shrub make a good addition to the garden.
This is a lovely neat and tidy compact shrub, liking a full sun position. Bring frost tolerant, this makes this shrub a tough and hardy plant . It is perfect in the middle of a small bed or in front of a large bed of mixed shrubs. As S. variana doesn’t grow too tall, it can be grown successfully in a mixed border with other pastel coloured perennials and low shrubs.
Having a dense flower head attracts all sorts of insects, especially as there may be a lack of near by flowers in the winter.
When most of the flowers have finished in late winter, early Spring there should be new shoots appearing along the base of the stems. When these appear, this indicates it’s time to remove the old stems . Take out any dead or twiggy stems and clean up beneath the shrub.
Feed and mulch well to keep the roots warm over Winter. When the warm temperatures begin, then the new shoots should be strong and growing well. Feed again and top up the mulch to keep the roots cool during the hot dry Summer season. Although a tough hardy plant, liking a sunny position, it does appreciate a good watering when hot and dry.
Propagation: is usually by tip cuttings of new growth in Spring. Cuttings can be taken after the old flower head is removed. See the propagation page on how to take cuttings and the recommended propagation mix.
