Late summer flowering Salvia’s are invaluable to any garden. The large colour range from deep purples, electric blue, smokey pinks to striking reds provides an interesting colour palette as we are edging closer to winter.

Winter hardy in a fairly sheltered position, this Salvia is a sun lover. Will tolerate drought once established. Looks very pretty in a pot.

 

‘Bog sage’ – as it’s name suggests, this brilliant blue Salvia loves damp soil, in a sunny spot. Hardy through most of the UK.

 

A tender Salvia with striking red flowers which make lovely cut flowers for the home. Can grow to around 1.8m tall and likes some moisture in the soil.

 

Ben Chandler Studio’s annual visit to Great Dixter Autumn plant fair was not a disappointment. With beautiful sunshine, the plants were dazzling, looking at their best.

A few unusual plants that caught my eye..

Rabdosia effusa grown by Chris Ghyselen from Bruges.

An interesting perennial for all types of shade including dry shade.

Unfortunately all of Chris’s stock had sold out in just one hour so I couldn’t purchase to trial at home.

 

Chris Ghyselen had many Persicaria to show but I particularly liked the colour of P. ‘Early Pink Lady’

 

Euonymus ‘Wolong Ghost’ grown by Edulis in Pangbourne

A versatile evergreen, matt forming ground cover which is drought tolerant and is happy in full shade, part shade or sun.

 

Verbena ‘Bampton’ grown by Beth Chatto nursery in Colchester

Unusual wiry purple foliage with pinky purple flowers.

 

Saxifraga cuneifolia ‘Variegata’ grown by Plantbase in Wadhurst

An evergreen ground cover for shade only, either dry or wet soils.