I actually can't believe how blue Salia patens is. See for yourself, it's just so erm, blue. I don't know whether I like it or not, there's honesty, it's just that you don't see that kind of blue (ah, Miles Davis) in nature often, bar say a kingfisher, like an azure flash.
I sowed a packet of seed back in March. I think there were about twenty in the envelope of which I kept and grew on six. They were slow to start and crept along for most of the summer until these last few weeks when suddenly they seem to have taken off.
I sit here on the terrace and just pick out the colour. You can see it in the centre of the photo.
They're not really hardy, but like a dahlia they develop a tuber which can be stored in much the same way so I'm told. I'll store these.
I really do like it! It is particularly striking juxtaposed with yellow. Good planning!
ReplyDeleteIs this an annual or perennial? Hardiness?
I love the deep splash of blue - it is such an unusual colour to see in the garden but it appears as though an artist has brushed the vivid colour across the palette! very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI will be having some of those I think
ReplyDeleteI think it's beautiful! Definitely shocking, but nonetheless something I would definitely grow! Now you need to find a great vintage bicycle to paint that color and park it nearby.
ReplyDeleteI like it! It reminds me of Brazilian Blue Sage (which the hummingbirds are fighting over right now), but not as dark.
ReplyDeleteI love blue in the garden... with yellow, red, orange, pink or white (what color is left purple?) companions especially.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful
ReplyDeleteErika
What an absolutely striking colour Rob. What is its yellow companion? There was a feature on 'Gardeners World' last night on salvias which left me wanting. Would that I had your climate.
ReplyDeleteHi Shirley, It can be treated as an annual although like many annuals it's a tender perennial, I intend to store the tubers this winter.
ReplyDeleteDianne thanks. It is a really true blue.
Field of Gold, it'll grow well in NZ. Everything does.
Tim hi. You certainly can't fail to notice it. Now to find that bike.
Sweetbay, I guess the sage you mention is a darker shade like s.guaranitica
Freda I think blue IS the universal colour.
Erika thanks
Anna I saw that episode. Wasn't the salvia being grown in North Yorks? Should do well for you
And it works so well in your garden Rob.
ReplyDeleteI love Salvia patens; its such a thrill in the second half of the summer when it starts blooming. @Anna: I think the yellow companion is Coreopsis lanceolata.
ReplyDeleteAilsa
nice color :) very refreshing to the eyes. happy gardening!
ReplyDelete-angel
Hi Hermes, thanks, I reckon this plant works just about anywhere.
ReplyDeleteAilsa, I agree. You're correct, it is c. lanceolata.
Angel, cheers, cool blue on a warm day.
Count me in for loving Oxford Blue!
ReplyDeleteHmm. That is actually a very South African blue: lobelia, aristea, flax, Micranthus. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteI think it's gorgeous Rob, especially against the green and the yellow. I can picture you now, sitting in the shade on your terrace and gazing round at your wonderful garden. Jealous? Mois?!
ReplyDeleteI have just chanced upon you and am completely enchanted by your beautiful blog.
ReplyDeleteAlthough there are limitation to what will grow here in the North, I still look forward to finding lots of inspiration in your future post.
Anna
But it's SO BLUE!
ReplyDeleteQuite the blue hue there Rob. Your garden looks lush from the terrace view. Lovely! Great that after a slow start your salvia offers such a gem. I love the yellow and blue together.
ReplyDeleteHello! I LOVE your salvia patens, it reminds me very much of salvia guarantica, one of my favorites! I thought I remembered that you really like blue in the garden...from other posts...is that correct? I do love blue in the garden so I think that is why I remembered it.
ReplyDeleteOn a separate note, my husband and I will be visiting Lyon and the countryside around it in September and thought I would ask you for any recommendations of gardens to visit in that area of France. I follow your blog as much as I am able and have a link to yours on my blog just in case you were not aware...
When the opportunity to visit the French countryside came up I thought you would be a great resource to ask about gardens and maybe anything else that is a must see in the Lyon area. I don't follow any other blogs in France and do not have a lot of other connections. Thanks so much if you can share. My contact info is on my blog site....Best, Andrea
I like the colour a lot!
ReplyDeleteI do love this blue! I hoped my blue poppy will bloom this summer, but it doesn't look like it. Maybe, next year.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rob for your comment on my blog! I understand how ugly can rusty hollyhock look. I used to have that rust all the time. This is the very first year when there is no rust on hollyhock's leaves. As I said in the post, several plants grow far from each other. Could it be a reason?
As for Gorbachev, you are right - majority of Russians don't like him. I think because they lost almost everything during Perestroika. I respect him for what he's done. I don't like Putin.