Salvia ‘Alba'(greggii): A small upright, dense subshrub to 40cmH with white flowers, for a sunny position. Flowering all year.
Salvia greggii ‘Alba’: was one of the first early introductions of the greggii group in 1990’s, along with ‘Raspberry Royale’ and ‘Furnam’s Red’.
Flowers: are pure white with a green ribbed calyx and green stem. This contrast of colour sets off the pure white of the flower. Flowers will appear most of the year, especially after being trimmed or cut down. A good plant for bees and insects.
Leaves: are small, lineal, mid green with a blunt pointed apex and an entire edge along the margins (one of the identifying characters of greggii’s).
Most of the stems are well clothed with leaves, giving a dense appearance to the shrub. Most greggii’s will grow from 1 major stem.
This Salvia is a good small shrub for the front of the border, making a wonderful small hedge. Combine Salvia greggii ‘Alba’ with other pink / red flowering shrubs and perennials. The white of the flowers soften strong purples, blues and reds within the garden. They blend well with other soft pinks, yellows and bi coloured flowers.
Plant S. greggii ‘Alba‘ in a sunny well drained position. A very good plant for coastal areas and sunny hot spots.
This is a tough hardy plant for the dry hot summer months, the winter cold and tolerating light frosts. Mulch well to keep the root area cool during summer and feed occasionally. It’s not fussy about soil, growing on clay soil if well drained.
Most ‘greggii’s’ don’t like remaining in a pot, but are best planted out into the garden, where they grow very well. They can be long lived if treated well with regular trimming, pruning at least twice a year, feeding and giving water when needed.
At the end of summer the plant should be pruned and cleaned out of any dead and twiggy stems. Cut stems back to a good green bud then give it a feed and mulch well.
Easily propagated by tip cuttings taken at any time of year.