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Salvia sp. from Yunnan
Salvia sp. from Yunnan
Salvia sp. from Yunnan

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Salvia sp. from Yunnan

(Mystery Yunnan Sage) Sometimes we come across a beauty that has no name. This lovely species from China's Yunnan province is an excellent example. Aside from lacking scientific and common names, it arrived here as an imported seed with little information about how the plant was discovered.

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. Mystery Yunnan 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. 5 - 9
Size (h/w/fh) The anticipated mature size of the plant: Height, Width & Flower Height. 18"/18"/30"
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
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 Yunnan
Degree of Difficulty
Easy
Degree of Difficulty
This plant is easy to grow in a variety of conditions.
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(Mystery Yunnan Sage) Sometimes we come across a beauty that has no name. This lovely species from China's Yunnan province is an excellent example. Aside from lacking scientific and common names, it arrived here as an imported seed with little information about how the plant was discovered.

Our Mystery Yunnan Sage has red roots, similar to many Chinese sages used as folk medicines and indiscriminately labeled "Dan Shen" -- a name more accurately reserved for Salvia miltiorrhiza and a few other sages used in commercial Chinese medications.

Although there is much we don't know about this plant, we can say that aside from not being a variant of S. miltiorrhiza, it's not an S. dolichantha, S. hians or S. prezwalskii.

But it is pretty as a party dress and ready for the garden party in climates ranging from cold winters to hot summers. This sage is ideal for containers, shady pathways and front of border in woodland gardens.

Give this herbaceous perennial plenty of water and partial shade all day or morning sun and afternoon shade. It's petite except when in bloom; then it nearly doubles in height.

Writing in The Washington Post in June 2013, travel journalist Mike Ives referred to the Yunnan province as "China's Galapagos" due to its horticultural diversity created by monsoon-fed mountains that Ives says have become alpine "islands" carved by powerful rivers.

We'd like to go there. But for now, we'll grow our Mystery Yunnan Sage and dream of the discoveries to be made.