greentapestry : Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day ~ September 2014

Monday 15 September 2014

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day ~ September 2014


A new arrival here is salvia 'Amistad' (which is the Spanish word for friendship), part of my plans to introduce more late summer/ early autumn colour in to the garden. More on the very same subject soon. This plant went straight to the top of my wish list after I saw photos of it in gardening magazines and on a few blogs last year. I'm sure that a few other bloggers will have fallen for its charms too. I bought a small plant earlier in the year which has not flourished so when I saw a much larger specimen I could not resist. 'Amistad' is a relatively new introduction which apparently flowers from May - October and is attractive to bees. It is a tender perennial which may need protection in a cold winter. I've taken a few cuttings as an insurance policy.  Previous experience with salvias tells me to err on the side of caution. Will be keeping my fingers crossed and will report back next year.


With thanks as always to Carol over at May Dreams Gardens for kindly hosting Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day. As soon as I've ticked off one plant off the wish list I'm sure that I will be adding more when I see what is blooming in other gardens this month. What have you added to your wish list recently?

46 comments:

  1. Lovely!
    Happy Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day!
    Lea

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    1. Many thanks for your visit Lea and for your comment.

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  2. A very nice addition to the garden. I've been quite restrained recently, not many purchases but lots added to the wish list. I blame bloggers for all the temptation.

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    1. I know Jo - the wish list just keeps growing and growing ......

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  3. That looks a beautiful plant!

    I tried to leave a comment yesterday on your previous post and couldn't ... I'll comment on it here in case it happens again ... The book and series sounds really interesting, and what a great idea to observe a tree like that, it must really focus your mind to observe aspects otherwise overlooked.

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    1. Thanks for your comment Ingrid. I'm so sorry that you had problems leaving a comment on my previous post. Tree following has certainly made me look at the willow more closely than I would have otherwise done so.

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  4. It' s a beauty, Anna. I think I shall have to add it to my wish list. The great thing about salvias is that they are so easy from cuttings so we don' t have to risk losing them in winter.

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    1. Thanks for your comment Chloris. I have taken salvia cuttings in the past and am keeping my fingers crossed that these root and come through the winter too :)

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  5. Amistad is gorgeous! I couldn't resist and bought 2 from Cambridge market last year, with a 3rd, Wendy's Wish. This year I got a mixed 10 salvias (including a 3rd Amistad) and my new favourite is 'Cherry Pie'. Hope they survive the winter and flourish next year.

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    1. Thanks for your comment Celia and a warm welcome to you. It certainly sounds as if you are accumulating quite a collection of salvias. Oh I will have to investigate 'Cherry Pie' forthwith!

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  6. Wow… what a stunner in the sunshine, Anna! Even before its name translation you had it added to my plant list. Thank-you for sharing it as I’ve missed on the other blogs where it caught your eye - Happy GBBD Anna :-)

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    1. Good to hear from you as always Shirl and glad to have lead you astray :)

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  7. I saw 'Amistad' in a Portland garden when I visited Oregon in July, and now it's on my wish list, too! I plant a lot of annual salvias here for the very reasons you mention--they look good all the way until the first frost. Happy GBBD, Anna!

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    1. Hope that it's not long before 'Amistad' is taking root in your garden Rose.

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  8. Another beautiful salvia! We've both been tempted. Cuttings are a very good idea, it would be awful to lose such a stunning thing.

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    1. Yes Jessica I dare not chance it so cuttings hopefully will provide some reassurance in the event of a very cold winter. I would hate to loose this beauty!

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  9. I really like the look of this salvia...nice dark purple and flowers all season. A perfect flower loved by garden and garden critters like bees and hummers.

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    1. That's the icing on the cake Donna - not only is attractive to us humans but too other creatures too :)

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  10. Looking at the form of the leaves I would say it probably is quite tender so cuttings are a good idea. I love the look of this so it may be going onto my wish list too, can't be bad that a plant is wanted by so many gardeners Anna, thanks for showing us.

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    1. Thanks for your visit and comment Christina. I feel more secure in the knowledge that I've taken cuttings and should the parent plant come through the winter I will have the bonus of extra plants to enjoy in the garden as well as share with friends.

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  11. This was given to me last year as a cutting and I'm certainly enjoying it, although it is still quite a small plant at the moment. The parent grew to very big, about 6ft x4ft. More cuttings have been taken for this winter so that I will still have it for next year.

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    1. I believe that it can develop into quite a large plant Pauline. Hope that all your babies thrive.

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  12. I love that blue flower Anna. A lovely choice. My wish list currently includes a sedum called Karfunkelstein - dark brown leaves and brownish pink buds. I have found a nursery that supplies it, but they are out of stock, so I may have to wait until spring!

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    1. Thanks for your comment Cathy. Your sedum sounds most attractive. I wonder what 'Karfunkelstein' means. I hope that you do not have to wait long before you have a plant in your possession!

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  13. I love this Salvia Anna, I resisted last year, but succumbed this year and got 3!!!!!
    K
    x

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    1. Lovely to hear from you Karen. I'm not at all surprised that you went for this beautiful plant in triplicate :)

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  14. What a beautiful colour Anna - and I think I could make the effort to overwinter some cuttings too if I decided to treat myself....

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    1. No effort really Cathy - there might be spares for friends too! :)

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  15. I saw some for sale whilst we were on holiday - very tempted - but I know they wouldn't survive the slugfest.

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    1. That is a concern Elaine. I will have to be extra vigilant come spring :(

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  16. Amistad is a new addition to my garden this year too - isn't it wonderful!! My label said hardy but on further investigation, it is not. I hadn't thought to take cuttings until the other day. I just hope they take. Otherwise, I'll be hunting like a madwoman next spring. Good luck with yours Anna:)

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    1. It's indeed a beauty Angie. Fingers crossed that our respective 'Amistads' come through the other side.

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  17. My very first visit to you ! Thank you for introducing me to a very beautiful plant. Like you I have been a little wary of Salvias due to their tenderness, but then, I happily take cuttings from Penstemons etc for the same reason, so why don't I add them to the list. The flower is just the most gorgeous rich colour.

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    1. Oh many thanks for your comment Jane and a warm welcome. I do hope that you add a salvia or two to the list :)

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  18. A lovely addition Anna. I'd take lots of cuttings too, you never know what kind of Winter we might be in for this year.

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    1. I can't help wonder if we are in for a cold one this year Paula after last year's non event of a winter so having cuttings gives me some comfort.

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  19. Ooo! I saw that on Gardener's World and thought it looked gorgeous. I haven't had great luck with salvias in this garden unfortunately as they have all succumbed to the enemy (slugs and snails) :(

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    1. I'm hoping that the enemy steers clear WW - one can but hope!

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  20. I'm glad you got one too - mine has been with me for a while and is a real joy. So far it has survived the winters, fingers crossed. I especially love it when the bees dip into the flowers.

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    1. Oh that's good to hear Annette. Will be watching out for bee dipping :)

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  21. I succumbed too Anna, one is on its way, and since I know I will want more I will be taking cuttings too. Gorgeous, isn't it!

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  22. Welcome and thanks for your comment Sussi - it's most appreciated :)

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  23. Sorry Anna, I think the last comment I left on this post must have ended up in spam, I was looking for it to give an update on my Amistad status, plant still hasn't arrived :-(

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All your comments are much appreciated and treasured. I wil try to reply to everyone who leaves a comment, but it may take me a few days, especially when I start spending more time in the garden and at the lottie. I know that you will understand :) I am sure that I will also visit your blog if I have not already done so. If you have any specific questions I will either reply to them here or you can email me at : thegreentapestry@gmail.com

Namasté

- Anna.