Adenophora came into Australia sometime last century as seed called S.pulchella but I think it is always given its correct name nowadays. It comes from the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. Adenophora has bright scarlet flowers mainly in autumn and winter … Continue reading →

Another South African, this shrubby salvia has been around Australia for 20-30 years. It is a hardy evergreen for drought or whatever you wish to give it. It seemed to originally be called Africana aurea and some people are going … Continue reading →

Agnes is an odd species name for this small evergreen salvia. It hails from Mexico and is very similar to salvia lavanduloides but not quite the same. Agnes is paler blue and appears to be shorter in growth, about 80cm,  … Continue reading →

‘Amistad’ was a new release in Australia in 2013. ’Amistad’  grows to two metres high and wide and has a lot of flowers that are deep purple.  They are on one side of the spike only. It is similar to ‘Purple Majesty’ but the foliage is denser and … Continue reading →

‘Angel Wings’  is an Australian hybrid looking mostly like a microphylla.  It is a particularly good performer with masses of two tone pink flowers from spring to winter. Height and width is approximately 80cm.    Probably sun is best.  Frost and drought hardy. … Continue reading →

A  neat evergreen grey leaved hybrid, autumn/winter flowering, indigo blue, 1-2m This is a variety originating around Carolina in the U.S. and named after a small relative. It appears to be a hybrid between S. leucantha and elegans.    It is an … Continue reading →

This Californian salvia is an attractive foliage plant to 2m with smooth pungent grey foliage. Some people in Australia burn the dry leaves and wave them to ‘cleanse’ their houses as is the Indian custom. Apiana is somewhat fussy about … Continue reading →

.                             Arizonica, from Arizona not surprisingly, is a pretty deep blue wanderer for front areas of the border. It is not a strong invader that can’t be … Continue reading →

In Australia we have been a bit muddled as to what is aurita and it seems to be a small plant with pale blue flowers which I had once or twice. Aurita galpini is a fairly vigorous evergreen ground cover … Continue reading →