Tall Salvias can be defined by their growth, anything from 2m to 4mH. They have large leaves and large tubular flowers, which are very attractive to very small birds, which are their main pollinators. Most prefer to grow in a dappled shaded position or a sunny protected position away from strong winds and frost .
Although most of these tall Salvias come from hot humid countries in South America, many originate from high up in the mountains, coming from “cool rainforest areas” or “Cloud Forests”.
Flowers: on these tall Salvias are tubular, generally large, set in whorls on large flower heads. Some have simple whorls e.g. S.gesneriiflora ‘Tequila’, and ‘Follet’s Folly’
while others have a complex layered system, such as most of the S.karwinskii hybrids, where one set of flowers open and the others are still in bud, waiting to open. This system extends the flowering period for much longer.
Some shrubs have flower clusters at the end of the stems e.g. ‘Blue Bird’, S. densiflora and S. purpurea, while others have long flower heads full of small flowers, still tubular and usually pale blue in colour, such as S. roscida and S. fluviatilis.
Although bees and insect visit these flowers, it is the small birds, our Honeyeaters that seem to be able to penetrate the tubes with their long thin beaks.
Calyces: Tall Salvias are a group that show case coloured calyces so well.They contrast with the corollas, making the whole flower look very attractive, such as S. gesneriiflora ‘Tequila’, having almost black calyces with bright red corollas and S.mexicana ‘Limelight’, having lime green calyces with purple corollas. Whilst there are many other examples within the many groups of Salvias, it is the tall Salvias that show this feature the best.
Leaves: Most tall Salvias have large leaves. Most have cordate or lanceolate leaves. Most are well veined with varying shaped tips, bases and different textures. S. madrensis has the largest leaves reaching up to 20cm x at least 15cm. whilst there are a few different colour variations, most are a grass green colour.
Most of these tall Salvias flower in the cooler months starting in Autumn and continuing through Winter until late Spring, due to the amount of day light hours they receive. There are a few that flower on and off for the whole year. e.g. S. gesneriiflora ‘Tequila’ and ‘Costa Rican Blue’.
These taller Salvias are excellent for screening purposes for neighbours, fences or unsightly sheds etc.., depending on their habit of growth. There are some that grow straight and narrow, e.g. S. iodantha, ‘Blue bird’ and S.purpurea, some that arch and come out to greet you such as S.involucrata and ‘Romantic Rose’ while others might be bushy and dense or might have a vase shape or a typical pyramid growth shape, such as ‘Black knight’ and ‘Timboon’.
Although all of these can be grown in a sunny area, but they will need protection from strong winds, as they can easily snap, if blown around too much. Although most are cold hardy, so if grown in a sunny position, they will need protection from frost. For best results, grow in dappled shade or a shady position, in among other large shrubs or under deciduous trees. As these tall shrubs don’t like hot summers they will need a little more water in the hot, dry summer season, as they are not as drought resistant as many other Salvias. Plant them on the East or the South side of your house where it is generally cooler and shadier.
