Salvia guaranitica Amistad violet

Salvia 'Amistad' is a beautiful hybrid sage derived from S. guaranitica, but with a semi-shrubby habit more compact than the species. It is a fairly tender perennial plant, whose rapid growth allows it to be grown as an annual. Throughout summer, this variety produces leafy stems bearing long spikes of large dark purple tubular flowers, supported by black bracts. Its large matte green heart-shaped leaves are evergreen in mild climates. This plant is not very hardy, but it is drought tolerant in summer. It looks superb in flower beds, accompanied by small shrubs, or in large containers. It should be grown in well-drained soil and in full sun.

Discovered at a plant market in Buenos Aires in 2005, Salvia 'Amistad' is a horticultural hybrid of uncertain origin, clearly displaying traits of S. guaranitica, a giant shrubby perennial with violet flowers, mixed with some characteristics attributed to S. gesneriiflora, a much shorter species with red-orange flowers. They all belong to the Lamiaceae family.

'Amistad' sage quickly forms a bushy clump of semi-woody stems carrying large leaves measuring 9cm (4in) long and 6cm (2in) wide, with a beautiful shiny green colour on the upper side. The leaves are lighter, hairy, and wrinkled on the underside. It will reach a height of about 60 to 80cm (24 to 32in) in two years and will spread through suckers to a minimum of 50cm (20in). The nectar-rich and honey-producing flowering occurs in summer, early or late depending on the climate. It lasts until the first frosts. The floral spikes are 25cm (10in) long and upright. They are square-sectioned stems, carrying dark purple flowers composed of two elongated lips, surrounded at the base by an almost black sheathing calyx. The flowers measure about 5cm (2in) in length. The hardiness of the stump does not exceed -7°C (19.4°F) in a sheltered position and in dry soil during winter. The cold destroys the above-ground parts of the plant, but the vegetation regrows from the stump the following year.

'Amistad' sage thrives in well-drained soils, under a warm temperate climate. It is a beautiful plant, ideal for flower beds of tall perennials or small shrubs. In mild oceanic or Mediterranean climates, it can accompany robust perennial plants such as cardoons, hollyhocks, bronze fennel, Gypsophila paniculata 'Flamingo', or shrubs that will keep it in check, for example buddleia, Salvia grahamii, gaura, or a spectacular and sculptural grass such as Miscanthus sinensis 'Morning Light', or Cortaderia selloana 'Rosea'. Tall sedums (Sedum 'Matrona'), shrubby potentillas, and tall autumn asters (Aster turbinellus, Aster laevis, Kalimeris mongolica) will also create a charming scene alongside it. On a patio, place it in a very large pot so that you can store it indoors during severe frosts in winter.