This week we are highlighting not one but four(!) beautiful types of Salvia nemorosa growing here at Clearwater Color Nursery. Native to regions of Eastern Europe all the way to Central Asia, S. nemorosa performs best in Climate Zones 2-10 and 14-24 (The New Sunset Western Garden Book). It prefers full sun and moderate watering (though regular watering will encourage repeat blooming throughout the summer months). We will get into specifics of each type below, but all types of

Salvia microphylla x greggii ‘Heatwave™ Glimmer’ An outstanding perennial for water-wise gardens, Salvia microphylla x greggii ‘Heatwave™ Glimmer’ was bred in Australia to withstand the extreme heat and dry growing conditions so commonly found there. This perennial Salvia has a compact growth habit of 30” tall x 36” wide, is well-branched and covered in shimmering creamy-white flowers that have a slight blush of pink at the tips. The deep-hued, almost black calyxes offer a dr

Salvia chamaedryoides ‘Marine Blue’ (Marine Blue Germander Sage) This attractive perennial Salvia is known for its masses of true-blue flowers that bloom almost year-round, with a huge flush of color from late spring through autumn. ‘Marine Blue’ grows 2-3 feet tall – mounding in the center, with the side branches spreading along the ground and rooting out as they grow. Hummingbirds, Butterflies and Bees are attracted to the vivid-blue, two-lipped flowers, making it an ideal

Ptilotus exaltus ‘Joey’® (Mula Mula) Native to central Australia, this herbaceous perennial displays an abundance of upright, conical-shaped flower heads that start out silver and mature to neon-pink near the tips. The lush green foliage takes on a luminous silver sheen as the plan matures. The dramatic flowers and foliage of ‘Joey’® makes it well suited for the role of “thriller” in a mixed container consisting of “thriller, filler, and spiller” plants. Ptilotus exaltus ‘Joe