Salvia Amistad: The timeless sage of friendship
Origin and history
Salvia Amistad, whose name means "friendship" in Spanish, is a spectacular variety created by Rolando Uría, a passionate hybridizer from Argentina, also at the origin of Salvia Amante and Salvia Amigo. This hybrid was designed to meet the needs of modern gardeners: prolonged flowering, unique color, and ease of maintenance.
Arriving in Europe in the early 2010s, this sage immediately captivated garden lovers thanks to its brilliance and robustness. It has since earned an essential place in flowerbeds and naturalist gardens.
Complete botanical description
Family: Lamiaceae
Shape: Upright, bushy and vigorous, reaching 1 to 1.5 m in height and about 1 m in span.
Foliage: Dark green, oval, and slightly serrated, offering a beautiful contrast with the flowers.
Flowers: Tubular, deep purple with almost black calyxes. The erect inflorescences can reach 30 cm in length, creating a spectacular effect in flowerbeds.
Flowering: Abundant and continuous from May until the first frosts, even in varied climatic conditions.
Morphological and evolutionary characteristics
A remarkable hybrid, Salvia Amistad combines the vigor of Salvia guaranitica and other South American species. It is appreciated for:
Its exceptional and intense color, rare in the world of sages.
Its robust behavior and its adaptability to different climates.
Growing and use tips
Exposure: Sun or light partial shade. It tolerates partial shade, but full light promotes more abundant flowering.
Soil: Draining, fertile, and slightly moist. Avoid waterlogged soils, especially in winter.
Watering: Regular during the first year, then moderate once well established. It tolerates moderate drought.
Hardiness: Resists up to about -5°C. In cold regions, it is advisable to mulch or grow in a pot to protect it from severe frosts.
Maintenance:
Pruning lightly in spring to stimulate growth and flowering.
Remove faded flowers to prolong flowering.
Apply mulch in winter to protect the stump.
Propagation
Semi-hardy cuttings in summer, in a draining mixture and kept slightly moist.
Division of clumps in spring if necessary.
Use in the garden
Ideal in sunny or semi-shaded beds, where it can be associated with other sages, grasses, or perennials with autumnal flowering.
Superb in mixed borders, where its intense purple flowers create a striking contrast with plants with silver or light green foliage.
Suitable for pots and planters, to decorate balconies and terraces.
It is also valuable for attracting pollinators, including bees and butterflies, while adding an exotic touch to the garden.
Gardener's Tip
Combine Salvia Amistad with plants in complementary or contrasting hues, such as yellow rudbeckias or white cosmos, to create a vibrant and dynamic scene.

With its elegance and prolonged flowering, Salvia Amistad is a sure bet to beautify gardens and offer a unique spectacle throughout the summer season. 🌸