Salvia pratensis haematodes: is a herbaceous perennial, forming a basal clump, branched flower stems 60- 80cmH with mauve flowers in Spring and Summer.
Salvia pratensis haematodes is a very old hybrid of S.pratensis.
It has large basal leaves and large flowers, held at regular intervals along the flower stem, but may have been lost here in Victoria or may be produced under another name.
Flowers: is a falcate type flower with a large opening between the hood and lower lobes. The hood is a sickle shape, pale mauve in colour with a very extended white stigma through the tip of the hood. The middle lobe is a paler colour, having a cupped shape to hold a drop of moisture and acting as a landing platform for visiting insects. The 2 side lobes are the same colour as the hood and tube, these are tucked in to help with the cupping of the middle lobe.
Flowers are quite large, being held in whorls of 4-6 flowers, appearing in regular intervals along the flower stem. Most stems are branched. All flower stems are held way above the basal clump of leaves to attract any passing bees or insects.
By mid Spring, the flower stems are appearing, coming into flower fairly quickly and staying until summer. The flowering period is not long, so multiple stems are produced and the various branches are a little later than the main stem, thus prolonging the flowering period.
Calyces: are usually green, slightly hairy and very ribbed with pointed lobes. Occasionally the exposed side of the calyx colours to a lovely burnished colour. Soft bracts with pointed tips sit beneath each whorl of flowers. When the flowers drop, the calyx turns a straw colour, hopefully holding 4 small dark round seeds. the stems will remain until cut off.
Leaves: are a mid green, large in width and length, forming a large basal clump. This expands gradually as the season progresses, after the plant has produced the flower stems.
Leaves are slightly rugose and sharply lobed, the edges being softly toothed. Smaller upper leaves climb and clasp the flower stem sitting under the branching stems.
Salvia ‘Haematodes’ provides quite a showy plant when in flower.
Grow in full sun in groups of 3-5plants to create a showy display when in flower. Plant with other similar coloured perennial of mauves, purples, white and pinks or soft yellows in a mixed border to make a wonderful display. Some tall flower stems may need a light stake to hold it up in windy conditions.
Not fussy about soil, but should be well drained. If too heavy, the crown may rot and not appear again in spring. Once established, these plants prove quite tough and hardy, only needing the occasional additional watering during the dry summer season.
Maintenance: Once the flowers have finished, collect the seed, remove the old flower stem, clean up any old leaves. When the plant has become dormant, mark the position of the crown, to prevent accidental treading on or accidental digging up. Mulch the crown well to keep the root area warm during a cold winter. When the leaves begin to appear, feed well and top up the mulch to keep the root area cool during the hot dry summer season.
Propagation: these can be propagated by seed sown in late winter/ spring or the clump can be divided or small off shoots can be taken as cutting/ or rooted cuttings to be potted up.
Not readily available.