Salvias are part of the mint family, and are recognisable by their square stems. There are so many varieties to choose from, whether it be a garden perennial or a herb, usually known as sage. They can be annuals or biennial too! It will be hard to choose your favourite! Here at Puriri Lane at Addenbrooke, we have a lovely selction to choose from to buy, and to look at in our gardens. We hope to keep adding to this collection as we find new treasures!

S. 'Silkes Dream' is a brilliant tall and hardy Salvia that blooms nonstop from early summer usually up until frost. Large spikes of large tubular flowers are a lovely shade of melon red. Grows to 45 cm tall from a woody base, and up to 60 cm wide. It has an airy growth to it, soft and gentle. Pollinators love the little nectar rich flowers too! 🐝 This lovely plant does best with compost around its base, in well-drained soil, placed in full sun with regular summer water. If it gets tired looking in midsummer simply give it a haircut, some extra water and it will quickly recover itself back into bloom. Do not cut back the plant in autumn or winter- that will make it much less hardy to cold. Instead remove dead top growth when new growth emerges usually around mid-spring. A little cracker of a plant!