Alyssum Flowers
Salvia is the largest genus of plants in the sage family (the mints, Family Laminaceae) with over 1000 species of annuals, perennials and shrubs, which true to their family, are easy to grow and relatively drought and heat tolerant. The word “salvia” is derived from Latin salvia (sage), meaning safe, secure and healthy. Two well known species in the family are common sage (Salvia officinalis) and rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus). Needless to say, the leaves and flower parts from salvias have been used for medicinal and herbal remedies for generations.
Salvias offer a wide selection of colors, sizes, leaf textures and functions in the garden and are all highly attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Their leaves are aromatic and can be planted as edging in a garden, mixed into an ornamental bed, sprinkled in with annuals or highlighted in a pollinator garden, all with spectacular results. Flower colors range from white and light lavender, to purple, fuchsia, red, pink, yellow and several shades of blue.
Some of the favorite annual cultivars are bedding salvia (Salvia splendens) that come in bright fire engine red, purples, blue and white, reaching 12-24 inches, and can be pinched back for season long color; and Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha), an annual with soft foliage, non-stop purple and white or pure purple flowers which bloom from Summer until frost and are favored by butterflies and hummingbirds. Many more perennials are available such as Brazilian Blue Sage (Salvia guaranitica) which reaches five feet tall and flowers all Summer, attracting many species of butterflies as well as moths and hummingbirds, and Wood sage (Salvia x sylvestris), which is a cross between S. nemorosa and S. pratensis; a slender leafed variety with spikes of blue tightly clustered flowers that will continue to bloom from May to frost. The vigorous plants grow 18-24” tall and will thicken if the spent flower heads are pinched. These plants prefer full sun but are still attractive in partial sun.
A. I. Root has two varieties in their garden, Salvia Bumblesnow and Salvia nemorosa. Marcus. S. Bumblesnow is a compact pure white flowering delight that can be planted toward the front of the garden, as it only reaches 10” tall, spreading about a foot. True to its name, it is highly attractive to bumble bees as well as other bees, many butterflies, skippers, hummingbirds and other nectar seekers.
Salvia nemorosa Marcus is a compact, bushy plant that forms mounds of grey-green leaves, with spikes of violet blue flowers in early Summer, and is also attractive to butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. It grows eight to 12 inches and is a favorite in cottage and pollinator gardens.
Most salvias are easy to grow and can be split to produce more plants. They can take average fertility in well drained soils from Zones three to nine and are deer and rabbit resistant. With so many species and cultivars to chose from, any grower can select many kinds for their garden to bring season-long variety, color and interest to their yard.
References:
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/salvia/
https://extension.umn.edu/flowers/salvia
https://www.thespruce.com/common-types-of-salvia-flowers-annual-and-perennial-4767399
