Salvia nemorosa ‘Amethyst’: is a herbaceous perennial 60cmH with basal growth and pale pink flowers in spring and summer.
Salvia nemorosa is one of a few pink varieties.
Flowers: are a falcate type flower with a large space between the curved hood and the lower lobes. Most of the flower parts are the same delicate pink colour. The middle lobe mostly falls down rather than in a cupped position; this is to open the throat area while very pale pink markings help to guide the bees and insects into the flower to explore further. The 2 side lobes are nicely tucked into the sides.
Flowers are held in whorls of 4-6 flowers with small dark pink bracts beneath each whorl. The whorls are positioned alternatively to allow easy access by insects. These are positioned regularly along a long flower stem, finishing with tight buds at the tip, which will begin to open when the bottom flowers are starting to fade and fall off.
As this is a herbaceous Salvia, the the flower stems begin to shoots soon after the leaves emerge in early spring. Most begin to flower in mid to late spring, continuing through summer into early autumn. Flower heads are held well above the foliage to attract any passing bees and pollinating insects.
Calyces: these are primarily green with fine crimson coloured hairs along each rib, giving them a coloured appearance. Each lobe is pointed. These become straw coloured with age, remaining on the stem until cut off, hopefully containing small rounded seeds inside.
Stems: these can either be single or branched. Often the stem is coloured or has a mottled coloured pattern. All the stems are well clothed with leaves, having a small pair of leaves beneath the branching or under the first whorl of flowers.
Leaves: are a pale to mid green colour, with even a touch of blue in the colour. All the flower stems are well clothed with leaves . These are a long lanceolate shape with a blunted point at the tip and small crenulations around the edges. Basal leaves may have a small petiole, but most are sessile, especially those beneath the branches and flower whorls.
Although showy during the summer season, this beautiful Salvia nemorosa ‘Amethyst’ becomes dormant during winter.
Grow in full sun, in groups of 3-5 plants with other similar coloured herbaceous and evergreen perennials and small shrubs. When grown en mass they make a wonderful display with the pale pink being a contrast to any other pale blue, mauve or white flowers.
After the initial flower of flowers, they can be cut down low, which will then give you another flush of flowers to continue into autumn.
Not fussy with soil, but should be well drained. If the soil is too heavy without enough compost/ plant matter incorporated, then there is a chance that the crown will rot and not appear again in spring.
Once established, these plants can be tough and hardy during summer with the occasional extra watering during the dry periods.
Maintenance: During the growing season, mulch well to keep the root area cool during the hot dry summer. During Autumn when the plant is preparing to go down for winter, collect any seed that may have formed, cut down all flower stems and clean up the leaf base. Feed now to strengthen the roots and crown, mulch the crown to keep the root area warm during the cold months of winter.
When the leaves begin to appear, then feed well and top up the mulch.
Propagation: usually by seed sown in warmer weather, but any large clumps can be divided or small new growths can be taken off either as cuttings or potted up as rooted slips. for more tips, visit the propagation page.
Not readily available