Showy salvia — tall, dark & handsome
The arrival of a new salvia on the market is always an event, especially one as sensational as Salvia ‘Amistad.’ This Salvia guaranitica hybrid showcases glossy green deltoid-shaped leaves that can reach 5 inches in length. Its lightly pebbled surface adds an element of texture to the plant. This fast-growing beauty is native to Brazil and Argentina and can easily reach 5 to 6 feet in a year. Not content to flower only in the fall like many salvias, this exuberant sage starts blooming in the late spring and continues late into the fall. Guaraniticas, like the popular ‘Black and Blue,’ are known for their dark, almost black calyxes, and Amistad is no exception. The vivid purple flowers, especially large on this variety, seem to explode out of the midnight bracts. There’s no missing this salvia when it’s in full bloom — just follow the bees and hummingbirds that will have heard the flowers’ siren call.
Because of its size, a single specimen of this salvia can make a dramatic statement in a sunny bed. It works well against the side of a house or near a walkway, where one can enjoy not only its floriferous beauty but the company of the hummers and butterflies that will be regular visitors.
Purple and gold combine well, so consider planting autumn-blooming Rudbeckias or Gaillardias at this salvia’s feet. In a larger bed it will mix well with hardy landscape shrubs such as Coleonema ‘Sunset Gold,’ the variegated Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’ or Spirea ‘Goldflame.’ Although this salvia is larger than most, it can flourish in a sizable decorative pot, especially if you use it as a focal point in your garden.