Salvia aurita var. galpinii: is an arching groundcover with interesting lobed leaves and small white flowers that prefers a semi shaded position.
Salvia aurita var. galpinii: is completely different from it’s sibling brother S. aurita var. aurita. Where S.aurita v.aurita loves the sun, S. aurita var. galpinnii prefers the shade.
Flowers: are small, tubular and white with small green lobed calyces, that are slightly flared, showing the colouring on the tips on the exposed side. Flowering occurs from autumn through to spring. But as these flowers are quite insignificant, bees, moths and insects can still find them easily.
Leaves: are the major feature of this Salvia. Beautiful velvety, broad green lobed leaves, appearing the length of the arching stems.
Salvia aurita var. galpinii: prefers a shady area. Once established, it is quite hardy in a sunny protected area. It grows well in those bare areas beneath deciduous trees and larger shrubs. Plant this Salvia with other woodland plants that prefer filtered light.
This Salvia will need protection from frost, but is generally winter and summer hardy if grown in a semi shaded area.
When the stems touch the ground, they can root, forming a clump, which makes this Salvia an invaluable protective plant for windy areas.
Planted at the base of a newly planted tree or shrub, it provides protection , preventing the plant from being blown out of the ground.
S. aurita var. galpinii: looks wonderful when grown as a hedge which only needs light trimming to keep it’s shape. If the growth becomes excessive for the area planted, then cut the plant back hard, pruning the stems back to a good green bud. New arching stems and flowers will soon appear.
Prune: this Salvia when the clump becomes too large. Cut back to a good green bud towards the base of the stem. When all cut back, the plant should shoot again quickly. The flowers will appear when the growth is mature.
Propagated easily by tip cuttings, taken most of year.