Fantastic information, Robin, another one for me to try.

Joseph

Thanks for your note. This is a really great little Salvia. Try to get seed from Seedhunt...the best source of Salvia seeds in the USA, if not in the world. Germination can be erratic, to put it politely, but give it a try!

See the picture on my site.

Robin.

I saw S. carduacea at a California Native Plant show/sale. They didn't have any for sale, but did have it on display. It was GORGEOUS! I figure it might survive in my very dry (as in makes a dry garden in the UK look like a bog) garden in a sheltered spot. S. dorrii and S. pachyphylla grow almost like weeds for me, and flower spectacularly. I DO have to water them, though. I am experimenting with S. spathacea (gorgeous plant) and S. semiatrata (I think I need to add more drip line to that one) as well.

S. carduacea seems to resent overhead watering. Don't mention dorrii and pachyphylla to me, as they just won't flower here! Whereas carduacea is just great! As for S. semiatrata, this requires completely different conditions...a lot of watering is needed in summer, you can drench it if necessary. Spathacea is also rather thirsty, but it seems that it prefers an infrequent drenching rather than a regular squirt.

Robin.