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Salvia sp. from Szechuan
Salvia sp. from Szechuan
Salvia sp. from Szechuan

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Salvia sp. from Szechuan

(Bicolor Szechuan Sage) Cold hardy Chinese Salvias are a large and confusing group when it comes to scientific nomenclature. Identification for naming is expensive and difficult. That is why one of our most popular varieties doesn't have a scientific name!
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. Bicolor Szechuan 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. 6 - 9
Size (h/w/fh) The anticipated mature size of the plant: Height, Width & Flower Height. 24"/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 & rich
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 to ample
Container plant? "Yes" indicates that this plant can be successfully grown as a container plant. Yes
Mature height The mature height of this plant in average conditions. 1 to 2 feet
Mature spread The mature width of this plant in average conditions. 1 to 2 feet
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  • Salvia sp. from Szechuan
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We believe this to be the best yellow & purple hardy sage.
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(Bicolor Szechuan Sage) Cold hardy Chinese Salvias are a large and confusing group when it comes to scientific nomenclature. Identification for naming is expensive and difficult. That is why one of our most popular varieties doesn't have a scientific name!

Collected in the mountains of Szechuan, China, and cataloged by the University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley, this is a spectacular bicolor perennial that grows well in USDA Zones 5 to 9. A halo of velvety hairs surrounds the 1-inch-long flowers, which have a purple upper lip and a yellow lower lip spotted and striped with purple. At our Northern California farm, they bloom for us all summer.

The large, arrow-shaped leaves are also furry. They form a tough yet attractive basal clump. Branched stems rise from the leaves to heights up to four feet tall. Late in the season, the dark bracts add a dramatic touch to borders and pathway edges.

Although it does fine with average watering, this is a moisture-loving sage that does well in damp locations, including woodland gardens. We have grown it in full sun, full shade and partial shade. The latter setting has provided greatest success.

This species may be a hybrid, because it has never set viable seed for us.

Highly recommended and very limited!