S. gachantivana: A medium growing upright Salvia to 1.2 – 1.5mH from Sth America.
Salvia gachantivana: grows best in a sunny sheltered position with filtered light.
Flowers: are very small thin tubular flowers with a small hood and bottom lobes. Vermilion in colour, they appear in whorls around a green flower stem up and down it’s length for 10-15cm. A small green, ribbed, blunt, slightly hairy calyx, holds the flower to the small pedicel.
Flowering from late spring through autumn, often into the colder months of winter. These flowers are visited by bees and small Honey eaters trying to get inside the flower for the nectar.
Leaves: are large, broad, and heart shaped. Dark green with a tinge of blue, indented veins with a velvety upper surface and paler beneath. Edges are very finely serrated.
Salvia gachantivana: is a lovely and interesting Salvia to have in the garden. It grows well in a sheltered sunny position, growing to 1.2 -1.5mH, it can be situated either in the middle or at the back of the bed. It has a more upright than spreading habit, so can be grown snugly in among other shrubs. The bright red or vermilion coloured flowers really brighten up a dull corner of the garden.
The gorgeous red of the flowers contrast nicely with other bright blues and dark purples. Easily grown, although liking the warmer months,especially if water is available. It is cold hardy, but frost tender. so should be protected by other shrubs or the tracery of deciduous tree branches. Mulch well to protect the roots during the winter months.
Prune back to good healthy shoots when flowering is finished. This new growth will be sustainable during the cold winter months.
Easily propagated by tip cuttings.