Salvia ‘Fuchsia Doll’ (microphylla): A small bushy subshrub 40-60cm H, with bright fuchsia coloured flowers, for a full sun position.
Salvia ‘Fuchsia Doll’
Salvia ‘Fuchsia Doll’ microphylla is a seedling of Heatwave ‘Glitter’.
Flowers: are a clear bright cerise colour in a typical microphylla style of flower. The tube and lobes are the same fuchsia colour, but the hood is pale and covered in fuchsia coloured hairs. There is a pale line down the middle which corresponds with the pale beeline area around the throat.
The 2 side lobes are tucked in behind the middle lobe which is very wide with a slight split in the centre. Often this middle lobe is cupped to hold a drop of moisture for bees and other pollinating insects landing, before making their way up the beeline towards the throat. the beeline guides the insects further into the flower.
All flowers are held above the foliage in small clusters on a short flower stem to attract passing bees and insects. This Salvia can be relied upon to flower for most of the year.
Calyces: are a green brown colour with crimson overtones. Lobes are very pointed and well ribbed. These will fall off when the flowers have finished, but remain if pollinated, becoming straw coloured.
Leaves: are mid green, a typical microphylla oval/ oblong shape leaf, veins clearly showing and small rounded crenations along the edges. Most of the stems are well clothed.
Salvia ‘Fuchsia Doll’: is a small shrub that will brighten up a dull corner of the garden. A lovely bright fuchsia colour that draws attention, especially if mass planted as a hedge or as a feature.
If planted in an informal border: plant with other small white or vivid blues and purple shrubs and perennials; contrasting beautifully and showing off the fuchsia coloured flowers.
At the end of summer, when many plants are looking tired, give the shrub a trim to shape, cutting off all flowers, which will encourage a new flush of flowers, feed well and top up mulch to keep the root area cool during the hot dry summer months..
Heading into winter the shrub will need a good prune, cleaning out debris, cutting out any dead or twiggy stems. Feed again and top up mulch.
Propagation: Easily propagated by tip cuttings taken at any time of year.
Occasionally available