By Sharon Cohoon, Sunset senior garden writer
Salvias may be the most varied plant genus on the planet. There are more than 900 species, worldwide, according to Betsy Clebsch, author of A Book of Salvias and The New Book of Salvias. More than half are from the Americas, so you know they'll be at home in our gardens.
And, so far, we're only talking species. That doesn't include the hundreds of selected and cultivated hybrids on the market. Obviously there's a lot of choice.
You won't see all 900 at the upcoming sale at the Fullerton Arboretum, but they will feature more than 125 salvia species and varieties.
If you are a fan of this pest and disease-resistant, usually drought-tolerant, irresistible to hummingbirds plant family -- and aren't we all?--you don't want to miss this sale.
If you see `Anthony Parker' salvia there, I'd buy it. Here's why.
Salvia greggii `Icing Sugar', a brand-new, not-yet-on-the-market cultivar also sounds splendid. Haven't seen it but here's how Evie Tyra, The Arboretum's nursery manager describes it:
"Just as spectacular as `Hot Lips' but with two-tone purple flowers carried on bushy plants up to 3 feet tall. The blooms are stable no matter what the weather--unlike `Hot Lips'--and will flower late spring through fall."
The Salvia Spectacular Sale is Sept. 11 and 12 and it's free.
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Other garden sales and other items of interest coming up soon in Southern California:
Water Conservation Gardening series debuts with "Alternatives to Lawns" -- Sept. 11, 1:30-3:30 -- Fullerton Arboretum. Visit the Arboretum's website for details about the rest of the series.
South Bay Green Scene 2010 -- Sept. 11, 9-3 -- South Bay Botanic Garden, Chula Vista
Orange County Master Gardeners Gardening Seminar, Sept. 25, 9-3. Will be held at the Huntington Beach Public Library.
UCI Arboretum Fall Plant Sale -- Sept. 25, 9-Noon -- Irvine.
