Salvia sagittata var cajamarca: is a tall, upright hardy shrub, 2mH with large hastate leaves and bright blue flowers in winter.
Salvia sagittata var cajamarca: is a bright blue flowering Salvia for the autumn and winter months.
Flowers: are a true blue, semi tubular with very large bottom lobes and a large throat opening to allow bees, birds and other insects easy access to that elusive nectar. The style and anthers are well exerted, which will brush against all who come to feed within the flower.
The flowers of this variety are much larger than the other S. sagittata varieties, but still contain the same intense blue colouring. Appearing in autumn, they continue through winter into early spring,
The flower stems are in a panicles with the individual flowers in pairs marching up a very thin green stem. They appear well above the foliage to attract passing bees and pollinating insects.
Calyces: are usually green with blue tinges at the end and quite hairy. The lobes are pointed but blunt and well ribbed. These remain on the stem for some time after the flowers have finished, but eventually dropping off, leaving a bare stem.
Leaves: are large, green hastate shaped ( much larger than other S.sagittata varieties). Texture is slightly fissured on the top surface, l with more clear hairs beneath. All stems are well clothed with leaves.
Salvia sagittata var cajamarca: brightens up any winter garden with these intense blue flowers.
This is a good hardy plant for cold winter months and the hot dry summer season. It is frost and cold hardy, tolerating light frosts. Best grown in a full sun position on well drained soils, but most soils should suit this bright showy Salvia very well.
As this variety of S. sagittata has an upright habit, it blends well with other upright or bushy shrubs, either as a filler shrub or within a bank of similar sized shrubs at the rear of the garden. It probably needs the protection of other shrubs as it’s stems can be rather thin and prone to being blown over.
At the end of spring, when most of the flowers have finished and looking a bit straggly, its time to cut off any spent flower stems and clean out. I like to wait until the new growth appears before taking down the big old stems.
Feed well when most of the new growth has appeared, top up the mulch to keep the root area cool during the hot dry summer season.
Propagation: is usually by tip cuttings from new growth.