Salvia Amante: The Sage of the Andean Mountains
Origin and History
Salvia amante is a recent horticultural hybrid, developed by Rolando Uría, a passionate breeder based in Argentina, specialized in the creation of new varieties of sage. This hybrid is the result of a carefully selected cross between Salvia guaranitica and another South American sage. Introduced to the market in the 2010s, Salvia amante quickly became popular with gardeners for its spectacular flowering and its ability to attract pollinators.
Although it is still relatively new in Europe, its adaptability and ease of cultivation have made it a must-have in modern gardens.
Full botanical description
Family: Lamiaceae
Shape: Shrubby, compact and dense, reaching between 90 and 120 cm in height, for a width of 60 to 80 cm.
Foliage: Light green, lanceolate and slightly hairy, offering a soft and pleasant texture to the touch. Evergreen in mild climates, semi-evergreen elsewhere.
Flowers: Spectacular spikes of large, bright fuchsia pink tubular flowers, with deep purple calyxes that accentuate their brilliance.
Flowering: From June to October, bringing an explosion of color during the summer and fall months.
Morphological and evolutionary characteristics
As a hybrid, Salvia amante combines the strengths of its parent species:
The robustness and hardiness of Salvia guaranitica,
The intensity of flowering and the elegance of its floral spikes.
Adapted to temperate climates, it resists seasonal variations well and remains floriferous for a long period.
Growing and use tips
Exposure: Light sun or partial shade. Ideally, filtered light during the hottest hours.
Soil: Prefers well-drained soil, rich in organic matter, but tolerates lighter or slightly clayey soils.
Watering: Regular during the first year to ensure good recovery. Once established, it withstands periods of moderate drought.
Hardiness: Tolerates temperatures down to -5°C. In cold regions, mulching is recommended in winter, or growing in pots to protect it from frost.
Maintenance:
Pruning lightly in spring to encourage recovery.
Remove faded flowers to prolong flowering.
Mulch in winter in cool climates.
Propagation
Semi-hardy cuttings in summer, in a light and well-aerated substrate.
Division of clumps in spring if the plant is sufficiently developed.
Use in the garden
Thanks to its vibrant colors and compact shape, Salvia amante is ideal:
In beds, to bring color to sunny areas.
In borders, where its flower spikes add a touch of verticality.
In pots or planters, to decorate terraces and balconies.
It combines perfectly with ornamental grasses, Mediterranean perennials or other sages with complementary hues, such as Salvia microphylla or Salvia greggii.
Gardener's tip
To maximize flowering, enrich the soil at the beginning of the season with well-rotted compost, and place it away from strong winds that could break its flower stems.