Salvia focus

Towering Salvia Amistad has won many fans for its striking blue flowers on virtually black stems

Large planters need large centrepieces, and the half-hardy Salvias are perfect for the job.

Tall spikes of flowers will keep going throughout summer and often right up to wintertime with very little tidying necessary.

They are well suited to container life as they don’t have high watering demands.

Salvias such as the Salmia and Wishes ranges can effectively fill pots on their own but you can take things up a notch by surrounding them with smaller summer annuals. Petunias, Calibrachoas, Verbenas and Diascia are some of the many suitable options.  In sizeable troughs pair up with Dahlias, Fuchsias, Osteospermum, Cosmos and similar.

Go tastefully colour co-ordinated or go bold with clashing  colours!

Salvia Mystic Spires is a supersize bedding plant for when you want quick results in the borders

The ‘Salmias’ are a range of half-hardy Salvias that will give you a touch of the tropics!

Stunning red blooms are the selling point of Salvia Roman Red, which is great for pots and borders

Salvia Love & Wishes is one of the best for planters; it will require protection in winter