Collection of exotic white and blue salvias

 The collection consists of 5 plants:

- x 3 Salvia patens :  the incredible blue of its flowers gave it the name "gentian sage," as well as its large flowers with a typical shape.

- x 2  Salvia patens White Trophy: a very beautiful selection with immaculate white flowers.

 Individually labelled.

Salvia patens is a plant in the mint family, like all other salvias. It is an upright perennial, measuring 60 to 80 cm in height when in flower, with a spread of 45 cm. Its stems bear large, opposite, hairy, triangular, deep green leaves. It grows very quickly and is capable of flowering in the same year as sowing. The inflorescences appear from July to October, but it is in September that it is most floriferous. The flowers are arranged in clusters at the terminal part of the apical stems. Measuring 2 to 3 cm in length, they are rather large compared to those of most other salvias. They are arranged in pairs along the stem and are visible from afar. The flowers are nectar-rich and attractive to bees, feeding many pollinating insects. The root of Salvia patens is thick and tuberous. This sage self-seeds easily in well-drained and light soil.

The gentian sage is an ideal plant for sunny flower beds or borders. The white or blue of its flowers pairs well with the intense pink of Salvia microphylla flowers, which are also at their peak beauty in September. It can also be interesting to combine it with asters and grey foliage plants (such as Artemisia, Senecio vira-vira...) that require similar growing conditions.