Annual Plants: Salvia

History

• Salvias have been cultivated for culinary, medicinal and aesthetic purposes for centuries. They were used as a trading commodity by the ancient Chinese. Salvia viridis was first cultivated in the 1500's and was described by the botanist Linnaeus in 1753. It was once believed to increase the intoxicating powers of alcohol, was used a balm to soothe sore gums, and was dried and made into powders for use as snuff.

Types

• Salvia viridis has colorful bracts that make a stunning addition to the garden. Though often referred to as "Red-topped sage", breeders also have cultivated blue, pink and white varieties, which are popular in Britain and Europe.

  Garden centers offer a rainbow of other salvia varieties that are referred to as "annual" salvias, but in truth these are tender perennials that exist year-round in warmer climates. Victoria Blue salvia, for instance, is a tender perennial which is treated as an annual north of its native habitat of Texas and Mexico. Mexican bush sage, another tender perennial, has white and purple flower spikes. Salvia splendens, another tender perennial often sold as an annual, is available in purple, orange, lavender, yellow, white and scarlet varieties and is valued for ornamental use in flower gardens.

Benefits

• In addition to their aesthetic appeal, salvia leaves have been brewed as tea. Annual salvias are believed by some to help ease oral lesions and soothe sore throats.

Considerations

• When adding annual salvias to your home garden, choose an area where these sun-lovers will get plenty of daylight, though they can handle partial shade in the afternoon. Salvias should be planted after all danger of frost is past. They fare best in a well-drained garden, which can be achieved by amending your soil with compost or peat moss before planting. Deadhead old flowers to encourage more blooms.

Potential

• Salvia viridis is a self-sowing plant and will often re-seed. If left to its own devices, this annual salvia variety has the potential to return to grace your garden year after year.