Salvia 'Amazone'

While some salvias are content with a brief flourish, Salvia 'Amazone' keeps the pink coming for months. From late spring into autumn, its branching stems carry little two-lipped flowers in bright, clear pink, glowing against narrow green leaves. The blooms have an airy, almost fluttering quality, but there are plenty of them, creating a lively haze of colour without overwhelming neighbouring plants. Brush the foliage and you'll discover the aromatic scent typical of these ornamental sages, another small pleasure on a warm afternoon. Part of the Magical series, Salvia 'Amazone' forms a tidy, bushy mound around 50–60cm tall, with a spread of approximately 60–80cm. It's an easy way to introduce lasting colour and movement to a summer planting. Plant Salvia 'Amazone' where the sun can reach it, in fertile, well-drained soil, or make the most of its compact habit in a generous patio pot. Its vivid pink flowers look lovely beside soft purple nepeta, airy grasses and creamy cosmos, while bees have good reason to linger around the nectar-rich blooms. Once established, Salvia 'Amazone' handles heat and short dry spells well, although containers appreciate regular watering. Keep winter drainage good and offer protection in colder, exposed gardens, particularly during prolonged frost. In spring, after the worst frosts have passed, trim back the previous year's stems to encourage fresh, well-branched growth. With Salvia 'Amazone', summer colour doesn't have to end when August does.