There’s nothing like an unusual plant to pique one’s interest, and the beach salvia has done just that for me.
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This salvia is different and unusual, not overly beautiful but special enough to make it stand out.
Commonly known as the brown salvia or the beach salvia, this shrub is a great choice for well-drained garden beds.
If your garden isn’t well-drained, this plant isn’t for you unless you can raise the garden bed or improve the drainage.
This plant’s botanical name is Salvia africana-lutea. Salvia from the word salvere meaning to heal, which refers to the medicinal properties of some members of the genus. Africana tells us the plant’s origins and lutea refers to the yellow colour of the flowers when they first open.
This plant starts flowering late winter to early spring. The yellow flowers fade quickly to an orange colour and then to a brown shade.
The flowers give the impression of being a bit withered but even that doesn’t detract from their charm. They contain a lot of nectar which attracts birds, bees and other insects to the garden.
This evergreen shrub has a rounded to erect habit of growth and, as one would expect, is native to the sandy areas of South Africa. The leaves are rounded, velvety and very aromatic when crushed.
Growing to about one to two metres tall, this plant is easily kept in shape with a bit of pruning.
Use the leaves in potpourri because they retain their colour, shape and fragrance.
This plant needs a light, well-drained soil and a position where it gets full sun. It tolerates wind and drought but isn’t frost resistant, so choose your spot well.
Even though this plant is water-wise – if you mulch well and water well the plant will grow fast.
This plant is a great choice for the ornamental garden. If you’re worried about the frost why not put one in a pot so it can be kept under cover during the winter.
Beach salvia is easy to propagate and the Wodonga TAFE propagation students put in a few pots of cuttings last week.
An aromatic plant with an unusual coloured flower – is your interest piqued?
Diary: Kitchen Gardening short course at Wodonga TAFE. Four half-day sessions in October. Topics include companion planting, composting, recycling and pest management. Cost is $250.
Basic propagation workshop at Wodonga TAFE, October 6, for mid-spring cuttings, 9.30am to 12.30pm. Cost is $50.
For more information on these two courses call 1300 MY TAFE (1300 698 233).