Sensational salvias for long summer colour

Plants that give their all without asking for much in return are especially valuable, and shrubby hybrid salvia S. jamensis is one of the best. The colourful varieties of this mound-forming, drought-tolerant Mexican shrublet are covered in blossom from early July to the first frosts, luxuriating in full sun, and continuing to perform when others may be gasping for water. What they lack in size the small, hooded blooms make up for in sheer volume, dotting thin twiggy stems in a variety of colours– except pure yellow or orange – and are attractive to bees and other insects.

The small leaves are also highly aromatic, providing an additional element of interest as you brush past. They’re available in various sizes in garden centres or by mail order. They thrive in most soils, but need welldrained conditions, sulking if roots are constantly wet, quickly expiring in winter. Add grit to the soil to improve drainage and don’t overfeed with nitrogen, stick to potash feeds if required. They’re ideal for planting at the front of borders, alongside pathways and make ideal container plants, either on their own as larger specimens or as smaller plants slotted into gaps. You can either treat them as summer bedding, removing plants at the end of the year, or try keeping them year to year. Generally hardy to -5 (23F), they’ll generally survive an average winter outdoors in a sheltered position in well-drained conditions.

Give them a light trim at the end of the year and keep soggy leaves away from the neck of the plant. Alternatively, lift the plants, pot up and keep in a conservatory or greenhouse, replanting out in spring, trimming back to keep them bushy. You can also take semi-ripe cuttings from non-flowering shoots in August and September. Rooting should take place in four weeks.