Salvia superba ‘Marcus’: a small herbaceous perennial with a clumping rosette of leaves and dark mauve/purple spires of flowers, 10-15cmH in spring. Plant in a sunny position.
Salvia superba ‘Marcus’ is one of the smallest plants in the Superba collection.
Flowers: are a small falcate type. The hood which is straight is a slightly paler mauve/ purple than the bottom lobes.The 2 side lobes are either tucked in nicely with the bottom lobe which is cupped to hold a drop of moisture and act as a landing place for bees and other pollinating insects. When the flower has been visited, the 2 side lobes are fanned out slightly and the bottom lobe flattens out or hangs down. Showing the bee, not to waste time visiting that flower.
Flowers are in whorls around a green stem, 3 on each side, these are tightly packed together, making a very compact flower head. Flowers begin opening at the bottom and working their way up to the top of the bud. All whorls have a pair of bracts beneath which will eventually drop off.
When the plant emerges in the Spring, time is spent forming the clump before sending up flower spikes. These mature quickly and begin opening in October/ November, and should last until December/ Jan – depending on the temperatures of the area. Although the plant is small, the flower spikes are held well above the foliage to attract passing insects.
Calyces: are green, each lobe is slightly hairy. Occasionally the exposed sides will colour up, but most calyces remain green. Each lobe is ribbed and pointed. These will remain on the stem after the flowers have finished. They eventually turn a straw colour if the flower has produced seed.
Leaves: are grown in a tight clump, long with a pointed tip. A lovely bright green colour, quite rugose surface to direct any moisture towards the stem and down to the roots. Small rounded crenulations are found around the edges.
Small sessile stem leaves are found up the flower stems, finishing at the base of the flower head. The stems are hairy and slightly mottled.
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Salvia superba ‘Marcus’ is a very compact plant, making it ideal for a border along a path or rockery. As it produces multiple spikes of flowers, it catches the eye, especially if it produces dark purple flowers.
Plant with other small perennials and ground covers in a sunny position. Ideal in a gravel garden. Because of it’s size, it is best to plant 3 or 5 plants together to get the impact of those purple flowers. Plant with other bright yellows, pale pinks and white perennials, to show of the colour of the purple flowers.
Once established, it is quite hardy as the clump is quite tightly assembled. Not fussy about the soil, but should be well drained.
Maintenance: Very little maintenance is needed with this plant, except to feed when just emerging in the spring and regularly feed during flowering. Mulch well to keep the root area cool during the hot summer season.
When the plant goes down for winter, remove all the spent flower stems and old leaves. Mulch well to keep the crown warm in the cold months and mark well so it’s not accidentally dug up or trodden upon.
Propagation: this is usually propagated by seed sown in late winter for spring and summer growth. Small slips can be taken when all the leaves have emerged and new shoots are showing. Check the propagation page for more tips.
Not readily available