Salvia quitensis: is a tall upright bushy shrub to 3-4mH with bunches of cerise flowers for many months of the year.
Salvia quitensis: is a lovely tall shrub which flowers for most of the year here in the suburbs. It may stop in very cold areas.
Flowers: these are cerise,having fine cerise coloured hairs all over the hood and tube, giving it a lovely furry look. The 2 side lobes are fanned out nicely from the longer narrow middle lobe. This has a distinct white bee line directing the bees and insects towards the throat, to allow them to explore and find that nectar.
Clusters of flowers are found hiding beneath the leaves, in whorls of 6-8 flowers, almost as a bunch of grapes.
Although this Salvia comes from high in the Sth American mountains, it flowers all year in the suburbs and seems to flower in our Dandenong ranges for most of the year.
Although these clusters are found hiding beneath a leaf, they are bright and visible enough to attract and be seen by passing insects. This is one of the very few tall flowering Salvias that produce seed.
Calyces: These are relatively small and green, providing a good contrast between the cerise flowers and the green of the calyces. Each lobe is pointed and ribbed. They will remain green long after the flower has dropped, remaining on the stem, holding numerous black seed.
Leaves: These are large cordate shaped leaves, a lovely bright green with small crenations along the edges and a pointed tip.
The leaves are well veined being slightly indented and more or less the same colour on both sides.
Salvia quitensis is a very interesting shrub to have in the garden, being upright and bushy, if planted in multiples, it would make a wonderful back ground to other smaller shrubs or to small mixed multicoloured plantings. A perfect background shrub.
Plant in a protected sunny position with other tall shrubs and allow it to shine through to brighten up the garden bed.
As it seems to flower all year it is a magnate for bees and other insects when other shrubs are not in flower, a perfect pollinator for smaller plants
Although this shrub may flower for a lengthy time, all Salvias need pruning and cleaning up. Cut out any dead or twiggy growth. if the stems are beginning to look scrappy or weather beaten, cut down the stems to a good green bud that will begin to grow up and bush out. The plant can provide quite a bit of shade for smaller under plantings that prefer a dappled shady position.
Feed at least twice a year in Autumn to keep those flowers in production and again in spring for the new crop of flowers and leaves. Mulch well to keep the roots cool in summer.
Once established, it proves to be quite hardy to the dry and heat. Of course it would appreciate more water during the hot dry spells, but if well mulched, it provides a good back drop during the summer months.
Propagation: take tip cuttings any time of the year or sow fresh seed in the warmer months or at the beginning of autumn, to germinate before any cold winter begins.