Salvia densiflora: is an upright tall Salvia 2-3mH, with masses of small dense heads of purple/blue flowers in winter, looking like purple brushes.
Salvia densiflora has an interesting structure of blue/purple flowers.
Flowers: are blue/purple, in a very dense cluster of whorls at the top of the stems. The flower head is green with the flowers beginning fairly low down and gradually opening up as they progress to the tip. The flower head forms a conical head, looking like a brush. All the heads are green, long and conical.
There are approx 6-8 whorls in a layer and each whorl is made up of a clump of 4 flowers with green bracts beneath, which makes the flower head very dense.
The corolla has a very short hood, but quite a large set of bottom and side lobes, which is what can be seen ( each corolla extends only approx 2-3cm from the calyx). Out of the short hood, the stigma and stamens are very well exerted showing their golden anthers. It looks as if the flowers have golden tips. When an insect visits the hoard of flowers, the pollen rubs of onto the insect. Because not all flowers open at the same time, this technique allows the plant to provide a very long flowering period, over most of Winter and finishing in Spring.
Stems are very square and green. Flower stems appear in alternative direction at each node, so each flower head has enough light and space to grow. The flower heads continue down each main stem for approx 30-40cm.
Calyces: are a bright green. Each calyx is small, approx 5-6cm, forming a tube, from which the flower explodes. As the calyces are in a clump of approx flowers there is a green bract beneath that clump at least at the base of the flower head.
The conical head of calyces remain on the stem for some time after the flowers have finished until trimmed off. Any seed is very small and hard to find.
Leaves: are small, a broad lanceolate, cordate shape, soft velvety textured, mid green coloured with all veins being indented. Veins are prominent beneath the paler surface. Soft rounded crenulations are formed around the edges. There are usually 2 leaves at the base of the flower heads which are on short stems.
Salvia densiflora has a unique flower head.
As this shrub is an upright tall shrub, grow among other tall shrubs at the back of the bed or in the middle so it can be seen in flower in winter. Being similar to other tall leafy Salvias, such as S. iodantha, ‘Blue bird’ and S.purpurea, it likes a sunny protected position, from frost and wind. If grown among other shrubs, their stem structure should be able to hold this shrub in windy conditions, if not, then stake loosely to allow it to move with the wind.
A lovely background shrub to add brightness to a dreary garden bed. On sunny days the bees swarm all over these flowers.
Maintenance: when the flowers have finished in spring, then look at the shape and the stems. Some old stems may have to be removed, with new growth coming from the base and from cut stems. Take out any dead and twiggy growth. Feed well in Autumn for flowers and again in spring to promote new growth. Mulch well to keep the roots cool during the hot dry summer season.
Although frost tender, this shrub does well during the winter cold.
Like most of these tall shrubs, they appreciate extra water during the summer.
Propagation: tip cuttings should be taken, when NOT in flower – through late spring and summer, from the new growth. because the flowering stem extends at least 30cm, the bottom growth is too old and difficult to strike, so try for new spring tip cuttings. See the propagation page for more tips.