Salvia 'Amistad' It blooms all of the time!

Salvia x 'Amistad' has a place in my garden for several months now and it never stops blooming. This lovely salvia bloomed all through the winter and, although it doesn't seem possible,  it appears to be ramping up in spring. It is much more boisterous in growth than the tag would indicate, easily surpassing the 3-4 feet tall dimension listed. I think it is closer to 6-7 feet. If I can make myself do it, and do without blooms for a little bit, I will whack it back to keep it more compact. Perhaps, I will talk myself into it if I do it in stages, and cut part of the plant down now and cut more later. Look at these large rich velvety purple blooms set off by black calyces. You cannot improve on that saturated color! You know the hummingbirds love this plant! I used to grow Salvia guaranitica when I lived in the South. It was not a dependable plant to bring through the winter. I loved it for its grand size and large purple flowers, but I love this plant more! It is larger and more voluptuous in every way. Reports say that it is a cross between Salvia guaranitica and Salvia gesneriiflora. After seeing both species, I would tend to agree. It was first discovered at a Buenos Aires plant sale by Rolando Uria in 2005. I am sure he said something like, "OMG What's THIS?", but probably in Spanish, and I am so glad he noticed. Salvia x 'Amistad is hardy to USDA Cold Hardiness Zones 8-10. 

Salvia x 'Amistad'                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              S. Reeve

Besides being bodacious and audacious I love this plant for its super healthy medium green foliage. Somebody chewed on the leaves earlier this winter, but things like that don't bother me, it shows an ecosystem that is functioning as it should. A little for me and a little for you. The flowers start out in a bent down position and eventually straighten and bloom. New bent flower spikes look deceivingly unpromising, brittle and dry, but later reward with that sumptuous royal flush of purple. 

Salvia x 'Amistad'                                                                                       S. Reeve

Salvia x 'Amistad'                                                                                      S. Reeve

Tags say it blooms from mid-summer into fall, but I have had it since mid-summer and it has never stopped blooming. It could be for the San Diego area it is a non-stop bloomer. My local hummingbirds appreciate this fact very much and I am happy to oblige. I have it in well-drained sandy loam with not much supplemental water, and it seems very happy with the soil and irrigation. It is such a strong plant that I can see trying it in less-than-desirable soils and it may do well for you. My experience with touchy winter survivor salvias that good drainage in the winter is key. Salvias don't like soggy cold roots. "Amistad" means friendship in Spanish, and I am definitely on friendly terms with this salvia, and I would go so far to say it is a love relationship in my garden.