Originally from the Canary Islands and blooms summer to fall, Salvia Canariensis var. Candididssima is hands down my favorite Salvia! Why? Well, first off it is deer resistant, drought tolerant and indestructible. The plants look healthy almost all year long with the exception of a few yellowing leaves that you can remove without much thought or effort. Its a fast growing perennial that grows to 5′ x 5′ in its first year. If you get lazy and don’t prune it, it will still look presentable when other plants would look like a disaster. If you are ruthless and prune it to the ground (which I have done), it will grow back perfectly and be a 2′-3′ shrub in 6 weeks. Traditionally people prune it down to 2′ every winter.
it has the most fantastic silvery white foliage that is fluffy and soft like a lambs ear with magenta and violet flowers, and has a delicious unique fragrance like lavender and rain that you will smell when you water it or the wind blows heavy. Grows best in well drained soil. Don’t forget to compost it at least once a season for better blooms and healthier foliage.
More plants?Come to the Garden of Eat’n and discover our 2021 varieties.