Frost has wiped out the zinnias and amaranthus in the borders and so today we cleared these areas, ready for planting tulips later in the week. And that is how I found myself bringing home a bunch of blue clary sage plants, with the intention of collecting and saving the seed. But as I picked out the drying seed heads and transferred them to a paper bag (to catch the seed) I noticed that there were still a good number of beautiful blue bracts, so I snipped those off too and put them in a vase.
They were the first of the three salvias that I have used in my vase to celebrate the third anniversary of Cathy’s ‘In a Vase on Monday’ meme. My thanks to Cathy for hosting so successfully, whatever the weather, season or holiday!
When I got home I wandered around the garden searching for something that could form the rest of the contents of a themed vase of ‘Three’ and that was when I noticed the pot of Salvia involucrata sitting in the greenhouse. Who could resist that bearded magenta wonder? It looks a little muppet-like (Animal?)!
The final salvia I have used is Salvia uliginosa. This plant is now pretty desiccated outside, but luckily I have a protected one. So that makes three Salvias.
I’ve filled with Dianthus ‘Green Trick to add volume. It is still looking fairly bright green and fluffy, but it has become rather floppy in the trough. I don’t think that it will survive much longer, so I chose to lose a few spikes.
Dianthus ‘Green Trick’ and blue Clary sage
Happy Third IAVOM Anniversary Cathy!
The Three Salvia Vase in sunlight
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So bright and cheerful! I love salvias… that S. involucrata is quite something!
Yes it is. Now I just have to get it through winter!
Beautiful combination of salvias – that pink one really does look like a muppet!
Thanks. (I was tempted to superimpose eyes)
😀
Yes, I had to smile at the muppet lookalike – very apt! It was interesting to raed which things had been affected y frost, and that your clary sage still had some perfect blooms. Mine didn’t do well at all this year and certainly didn’t get to a seed producing stage at all. Looking at your vase in the first picture you wouldn’t think it was November at all – thanks for sharing it with us Allison
It is remarkable what has made it to November this year. These clary sage were lucky self-seeds, but I have ordered more to make sure from next year. Hope that you have more success next year.
That Salvia involucrata DOES look just like a Muppet! The 3 Salvias make a pretty combination but it was the S. uliginosa that drew me at fist sight – the color is heavenly.
I love furry salvias, but that S. uliginosa is like a memory of summer!
Beautiful photographs!
Thank you
The 3 work well together.
Thank you. They rarely flower together (the clary is often over by now), so this was fortunate.
Stunning! I love saliva and this collection offset by the dianthus provides a happy eyeful.
Thanks Marian. Salvias are a favourite. If I can get the S. involucrata to over-winter, I will be happy.
Fabulous! The photos in different light settings are all wonderful. Yes, I see the resemblance to Animal, quite clearly! 😉
Bless you! Sometimes I think that it is just me. I just about caught the setting sun, but I had to hold the vase and camera up against the hedge to do it. Not ideal, hence the other attempts.
Looks gorgeous ♥
All the Salvias are looking great. But the Dianthus steals the show for me, it is a really fun plant.
For me too. I’ve been wondering whether it dries green, like moss, so I am going to try that.