This Salvia is putting on a colourful display in the Autumn Garden.
The genus Salvia contains approximately 900 species of annuals, biennials, perennials and shrubs. It has a wide distribution, occurring in dry meadows, rocky sites, scrub, light woodland and moist grassland in temperate and tropical areas throughout the world. Members of the genus have opposite leaves and two-lipped flowers, the upper of which resembles a hood, and the lower of which has two teeth, or lobes. The genus offers a range of species and cultivars suitable for cultivation, including this one. ‘Royal Bumble’ has hot red flowers bearing a hairy hood, and these contrast with the dark calyces. This cultivar has a long flowering season, though being of borderline hardiness requires a sunny, well-drained position in the garden.