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Salvia x 'Kisses and Wishes'
Salvia x 'Kisses and Wishes'
Salvia x 'Kisses and Wishes'

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Salvia x 'Kisses and Wishes'

(Kisses and Wishes Sage) Blooming over multiple seasons, Salvia ‘Kisses and Wishes’ bursts with long, luminous, rosy pink blossoms nestled in pink-to-gold bracts. It’s so pretty that it seems unfair to refer to the newest member of the Wish Sages as a “mutation.”

Common name This is the non-scientific name used for a plant. A plant may have several common names, depending on the gardener's location. To further confuse the matter, a common name may be shared by several completely different plants. At Flowers by the Sea, we rely on the scientific name to identify our plants and avoid confusion. Kisses and Wishes Sage
USDA Zones The U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones indicate the temperature zones where a plant is likely to thrive. It is determined by the average annual winter minimum temperature. Actual winter temperatures may be higher or lower than the average. 9 -11
Size (h/w/fh) The anticipated mature size of the plant: Height, Width & Flower Height. 36"/36"/48"
Exposure This is the average amount of sunlight that a plant needs to thrive. Generally, full sun exposure is 6 or more hours of direct sun daily while partial shade is less than 4 hours of sun or dappled shade all day. Plants may tolerate more sunlight in cooler climates and need afternoon shade in extremely hot climates. Partial shade
Soil type This is the kind of soil that a plant needs to thrive. Most plants require a well-drained soil that allows the water to soak into the soil without becoming soggy. Sandy and clay soils can be improved by digging in compost to improve drainage. Well drained
Water needs Plants have specific water requirements. Water loving means the plant needs regular watering to keep the soil moist. Average generally indicates applying 1 inch of water per week, or watering when the soil is dry to a depth of 3 to 4 inches. One inch of water is equal to 5 gallons per square yard of soil surface. Average
Container plant? "Yes" indicates that this plant can be successfully grown as a container plant. Yes
Patent # This plant is patented, or a patent application has been filed and is pending and may not be propagated, under U.S. Federal Code, Title 35, Part II, Chapter 15 §161 without a license from the patent holder. PPAF
Hummingbird plant? Hummingbirds have been observed regularly feeding from this plant's flowers. Yes
Mature height The mature height of this plant in average conditions. 2 to 3 feet
Mature spread The mature width of this plant in average conditions. 2 to 3 feet
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  • Salvia x 'Kisses and Wishes'
Degree of Difficulty
Easy
Degree of Difficulty
This plant is easy to grow in a variety of conditions.
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(Kisses and Wishes Sage) Blooming over multiple seasons, Salvia ‘Kisses and Wishes’ bursts with long, luminous, rosy pink blossoms nestled in pink-to-gold bracts. It’s so pretty that it seems unfair to refer to the newest member of the Wish Sages as a “mutation.”

In 2015, Jane Knott of West Sussex, England, discovered that part of her Wendy’s Wish Sage (Salvia x ‘Wendy’s Wish’) looked different from the rest of the plant. It was a “sport,” which is another, jauntier way of saying mutation. The growth didn’t have Wendy's magenta pink flowers and mauve bracts.

Wendy’s Wish is an accidental hybrid that Wendy Smith found in her Victoria, Australia, garden in 2005. It’s uncertain what plants crossed to produce Wendy’s Wish, but there were a variety of sages near the seedling including S. Buchanani, S. chiapensis, S. mexicana ‘Lolly’, S. guaranitica ‘Purple Majesty’, and a red S. splendens. This New World genetic pool produced what has become a renowned as a hummingbird favorite.

Kisses and Wishes isn’t the first sport in the Wish series. In 2012, the coral-flowered S. x ‘Ember’s Wish’ sported on a Wendy’s Wish Sage at Plant Grower’s Australia. Then Australian retiree John Fisher propagated the purple flowered hybrid, S. x ‘Love and Wishes’.

All Wish Sages grow well in full sun, but appreciate a bit of partial shade where summers are hot. Like the rest of these beauties, Kisses and Wishes Sage needs average watering and good soil drainage.