By Bonnie-Marie Hibbs.
Family: LAMIACEAE
Scientific name: Salvia mexicana ‘Limelight’
Common Name: Limelight.
Salvia mexicana ‘Limelight’ is a current favourite in my garden. It is an evergreen perennial (a plant that will live more than two years) that will reach a maximum height of 1.5 meters and have a spread of 1.2 meters.
If you are a collector of Salvias or just starting out in the garden, this is a must have. The electric blue flowers with green calyxes will appear mid to late summer and will continue to bloom through the autumn months. Mine flowered continuously for at least 4 months this year! The flowers contrast beautifully against the dark green foliage. The leaves are large and elliptical shaped.They can be grown in full-day sun to part-shade in a moist position that has good draining soil, such as a loam – loam clay. Once the flowers finish blooming in late autumn it is best to prune off old flowers to encourage compact and healthy growth. Pruning will also result in more flowers the following year.
To maximise their growth and blooms fertilise twice a year in their growing seasons. Fertilise in early spring to encourage strong growth and then again in early autumn to encourage an abundance of flowers.
Salvia mexicana ‘Limelight’ is tough and easy to grow and is always an eye-catching display in the garden.