Salvia leucantha 'Purple Velvet'

Salvia leucantha is a tender Mexican subshrub with considerable sensory appeal. The semi-evergreen foliage, stems, and flowers are all softly hairy — silky to the touch — and the flowers, borne on arching racemes, are hot pink in this form, emerging from a fuzzy, bright purple calyx.

As this plant dislikes winter wet and cold, it lends itself well to large containers that can be moved into a bright, frost-free position for winter. In the ground, plant only in sheltered, warm, sunny spots — cold drying winds will damage it considerably, and excessive moisture may cause it to rot.

Natural salt tolerance makes it well suited to sheltered coastal gardens, as well as wildlife-friendly and urban settings. Cottage and informal gardens will benefit from its touch of late-season colour. In winter it can be reduced in height to 30–60cm, but no lower, as tender new buds at the base may be damaged. Once new growth emerges in late spring, take the old stems back to the first buds — but not until all danger of frost has passed, usually late May.

Height × Spread: 150cm × 150cm