198 The Salvia. 



THE SALVIA. 



By Edward S. Rand, Jr., Boston, Mass. 



This pretty genus of Labiatece is well represented in our gardens 

 and greenhouses, although but few of the many known species are in 

 cultivation. The most common is the Garden Sage {^S. officinalis)^ well 

 known for its aromatic properties, and, when in bloom, by no means 

 unornamental. The name is derived from the Latin " salvo" I heal, 

 or save, in allusion to the supposed medicinal or curative properties 

 of the genus. There are about one hundred and fifty species, the greater 

 proportion of which are indigenous to Europe ; but the most showy are 

 natives of Mexico and South America. 



In Miller's Plants, published in 1760, we find two of the blue-flowered 

 Cape species beautifully figured, and Pritzel refers us to illustrations of 

 nearly two hundred species and varieties. The genei'al color of the 

 flowers is blue, but in many species they are white, pink, and even yel- 

 low, while in the showy Mexican kinds they are brilliant scarlet. We 

 have two indigenous species, both ornamental and desirable : S. gyrata^ 

 a hardy perennial, and S. iirticifolia — both natives of the Middle, 

 Western, and Southern States, and both blue-flowered.. Of the scarlet- 

 flowered species, the best known and most showy is the so-called Mex- 

 ican Sage (6*. splendens). When well grown, this is one of the finest 

 of autumn-flowering plants. Nothing can be more showy than a large 

 plant of this species in full bloom. The only fault it has is its late- 

 blooming habit, as it seldom comes into flower before the middle of 

 September, and is very liable to be cut down by the frost, which not 

 unfrequently falls before the first of October. Farther south, — and 

 with us, in sheltered situations, or if protected from frost, — it continues 

 to bloom until November, displaying its gorgeous flowers in rich profu- 

 sion. There is a dwarf variety very desirable, as coming into bloom 

 earlier in the season, called S. splende7ts Gordonii, which has given us 

 great satisfaction. 



Salvia ftilgcns and ges7ierceJlora are very beautiful species, with 

 large deep-scarlet flowers, much resembling a gesnera ; they are not, 

 however, very free-blooming, and are more showy as pot plants than in 



