This ornamental sage towers above many of its neighbours in the Glasshouse Bays.
A member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), the cosmopolitan genus Salvia comprises over 1000 species of shrubs, herbaceous perennials and annuals. Some species such as S. rosmarinus (rosemary) are grown for their herbal and culinary value, while others, including S. concolor, are grown for their ornamental value. S. concolor is a native of Mexico and grows to over 2.5m in height. The flower spikes can be up to 30cm in length, and bear many tubular flowers, typical of the genus, and these are held in deep blue, almost black calyces. Many parts of this species are hairy, including the flowers, calyces and flower stems, and the main stems are angular (another trait shared by many members of the mint family). This is a frost tender species in our climate, and while it may overwinter in the shelter of the Glasshouse Bays, in the open garden it is likely to succumb to the cold, and should be lifted over winter or propagated from cuttings. The species name concolor refers to the uniformity of the flower colour.