Statement salvias

Salvias make stunning plants for summer pots and borders, and the dainty flowers are irresistible to hungry bees and butterflies

Salvias are back in the spotlight, and deservedly so. The arrival of striking bi-coloured varieties such as ‘Hot Lips’ has reignited interest in this versatile, long-flowering plant. Salvias are easy to grow in a sunny, spot with free-draining soil, and their upright shape and dainty ‘lipped’ flowers look equally at home in a romantic cottage garden or in a smart container. Some salvias have dramatic purple-black stems, and others have scented foliage – rub the leaves gently and you’ll find they have a sweet, fruity fragrance. Pollinating insects love salvias, too. For months of glorious colour, deadhead or trim the spent stems to encourage more flowers to appear.

1 ‘Pink Lips’ Paler than ‘Cherry Lips’, this bi-coloured salvia is the perfect companion plant to lavender and hardy geraniums. H: 90cm 2 ‘Hot Lips’ (AGM) Striking scarlet and white flowers create an eyecatching show from July onwards, before fading to white. H: 1m 3 Rockin™ ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ Short spikes of sky-blue flowers and silver-green foliage make this an ideal salvia for containers. H: 30cm

4 ‘Cherry Lips’ Gorgeous cherryred and white blooms are enhanced by mid-green, fruity scented leaves. H: 90cm 5 ‘Caradonna Pink’ NEW Elegant lilacpink flowers stand out beautifully against dark indigo stems and soft grey-green leaves. H: 40cm 6 ‘Amethyst Lips’ Spikes of irresistible bi-coloured purple and white flowers appear alongside aromatic evergreen leaves. H: 1m

N EE D T O K NO W

Grows best in: full sun • Height: From 30cm–1m • Spread: From 30–75cm • Flowers: From May–Oct

6

grows twice as big

everything your plants need

1KG Miracle-Gro® Shaker Jars Buy any2 for £12 Normal SSP £6.99

1 Litre Miracle-Gro® Liquid Plant Foods Buy any2 for £8 Normal SSP £4.99

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