Salvia forskaohlei: is a herbaceous perennial 80cm-1mH in flower, clumps of large leaves, spikes of mauve flowers in spring and summer. Can self seed.
Salvia forskaolhei is a large clumping perennial .
Flowers: are a falcate type, with a white tube, a bulbous mauve hood with the stigma well exerted from the end. The 2 mauve side lobes are short and rolled back to open up the flower, whilst the middle lobe is long, mauve with a large prominent white beeline extending almost from the tip up to the throat area.
Flowers appear as a single spike, many develop short lower branches with whorls of 4 flowers crowded along a green stem. Flower stems can reach 60- 80cms, with the bottom of the stem being approx 40-50cm, and the top 30- 40 cms being actually flowers.
As stated, these flower stems arise well above the large clump of leaves to attract passing bees and pollinating insects.
Most flowers appear in early spring and continue well into summer, even occasionally into autumn.
Calyces: are essentially green, but will colour up at the ends in an exposed situation. Each calyx has prominent ribs, with each lobe having a blunt tip, but a spiky tip to the ribs.
Calyces remain on the stem after the flowers have finished, becoming a straw colour with age. Quite often these will contain 2-4 dark rounded seeds.
Leaves: are large obovate shaped, sessile, slightly hairy on both sides, mid green with an easily seen midrib and rounded crenations along the margins.
These leaves form a clump of sessile leaves and a strong root system that grow well in a semi shaded position.
Salvia forskaolhei: forms tight clumps, which makes an ideal border plant. This looks stunning mass planted or planted under a deciduous tree.
As this Salvia enjoys moisture, it is ideal for those moist spots at the bottom of the garden or along a boggy fence line. The flowers certainly light up a dark corner, the green leaves fill an area that would otherwise be a mud patch.
Unfortunately this Salvia can self seed, so be aware that small plants can appear near by with in the garden bed.
To minimise this happening, it is best to regularly remove the flower stems after the flowers have finished.
During autumn, after the flowers have finished, cut down all stems, remove old leaves and debris to just leave a crown. Mulch well to keep the crown warm during cold winters. In spring when new shoots begin to appear, feed and top up mulch to keep plants cool during the hot summer months.
Propagation: either by dividing clumps, digging up young plants or by seed.