Salvia pratensis ‘Sweet Esmeralda’ is a herbaceous perennial, making a rosette clump of leaves, with spires of pale pink flowers in early summer, 60cmH.
This is one of the few pink Pratensis varieties available.
Flowers: are pale pink,with a falcate type flower. The hood is a very pale colour, almost white with an extended pale pink stigma from the tip.
The bottom lobes are a shade darker, with the middle lobe in a cupped shape to hold a drop of moisture and act as a landing place for bees and other pollinating insects. The 2 side lobes are positioned, acting as sides to the cupped middle lobe. Interesting markings are found towards the throat to guide the bee further inside the flower for the nectar.
Flowers are held in whorls of 4-6flowers, positioned regularly along the flower stem, beginning at the base moving gradually towards the top. These appear in late Spring, early Summer, well above the rosette of foliage to attract any passing bees and insects, these last until the new year, when they turn to producing seed.
Calyces: are green, which adds a lovely contrast to the pink flowers. Lobes are pointed with clear hairs are found along the ribs. These become straw coloured, full of 2-4 small dark seeds. The remain until knocked off the stem.
Leaves: these are a mid coloured green, usually long, up to 12cmL and wide at the base, forming quite a large leaf with a rounded tip. These have gentle crenulations around the edges. Pointed sessile leaves are found along the flower stem, forming a leafy bract beneath the basal whorl of flowers.
Quite a dense rosette of leaves form over the growing season, with small offshoots being formed during the season to expand the clump, these can be used as cuttings or rooted pieces.
‘Sweet Esmeralda’ is a very attractive addition to the garden.
Plant in full sun or a sunny protected position, either in a row or in a mixed border with other perennials, herbaceous or evergreen or small shrubs, in hues of white, pale blues, mauves and purples. grow in groups of 3-5 plants to make a statement when in flower.Plant next to a leafy green shrub to provide a stand out show of pale pink flowers, providing a wonderful display of colour to brighten up a dull part of the garden. Once established these plants are quite tough and hardy during summer, providing they are well mulched and have the occasional additional watering during the hot dry spells of the summer season.
Not fussy with soil, but should be well drained over the winter season when the plant is dormant. If the soil is too heavy, there is a chance of the crown rotting away and not returning in the spring.
Maintenance:In autumn, when the plant is going down, becoming dormant, cut the flower stems by half, that acts as a pointer to prevent accidentally treading on the clump or accidentally being dug up. Mulch the crown well during winter to keep the root area warm, in late winter when the leaves are stirring, feed well, then when flowers begin to appear, feed again and top up the mulch to keep the root area cool over the hot summer season.
Propagation: AS this is a clump forming plant, they usually produce small off shoots during the summer period, these can be gently prized off and either used as cuttings or rooted pieces to be potted up. Cuttings can be taken when growth of new spring growth is 3-4 nodes long., but seed is usually the mode of propagation for most herbaceous Salvias. Visit the propagation page for more tips.
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