UNIQUE, RARE COLLECTION TO GIVE AROMATIC FRAGRANCE AND COLOUR
The word Salvia is derived from the Latin ‘salvere’ meaning ‘to save’ as it has been used medicinally for centuries. Beautiful open mouthed blooms adorn scented foliage from spring to autumn. Wonderful planted near a path or seat where the fragrance will be released when the foliage is brushed past. Salvias prefer well-drained soil in sun or part shade. Height & spread 60-90cm (24-36"). Hardy perennials. Your order is covered by our No Quibble Guarantee and will be confirmed together with a copy of our latest catalogue. Your young plants will be delivered within 21 days.
In this new series, the GA team are sharing photos of our gardens in lockdown. Here, Editor Liz Potter reveals all
is very much a work in progress. Every year I move plants around, cutting things back, hoiking things out and digging in more grit (where does it all go?). This year I’ve been more decisive about my planting schemes, giving plants more space to grow and dividing suitable candidates to make smart little regiments all standing to attention. I’ve learned (by trial and error) that you can’t just dot things around and hope for the best. For a coherent, cohesive look, you need to make your intentions pretty obvious.
I’m also a keen adopter of the right plant right place concept. It’s one thing nodding sagely when people say this, but quite another to actually do it!
My west-facing garden is the perfect example – one half is cast in deep shade for most of the day, the other baked solid by lunchtime. The soil is pH8 (alkaline), and a heavy, recalcitrant clay.
The shady half is now home to ferns, hydrangeas, hellebores and a few foxgloves; in the sunny half I’ve planted lots of silver-leaved sunlovers such as helianthemum, cineraria, lavender, stachys ‘Silver Carpet’ and artemisia ‘Valerie Finnis’. Last year, furry-leaved stachys was a big hit with the bumble bees but a bit too assertive for my liking; this year Valerie is giving it a run for its money – they’re both rampaging through the border like there’s no tomorrow. I’ve told them Lupins (from about social seed) with
distancing but brunnera
they’re having ‘Jack Frost’
none of it! Certain self-sowers like to influence proceedings too. Tiny tufts of golden Stipa tenuissima
can often be found sneaking up between the brick pavers, while aquilegias and foxgloves pop up wherever they fancy. This is all very well but it was supposed to be a white garden inspired by a trip to Sissinghurst with my mum a few years ago. These naughty selfsowers come up pink and purple, proving that Mother Nature always has the last laugh. l