On 14/10/06 23:46, in article ,
"Peter Sutton" wrote:

Sacha, I visited your nursery in August with my sister, where I introduced
myself as a sometime user of this forum. You were both very kind and Ray
showed me round your lovely garden. I purchased a Salvia ambigens - which
has turned into a very fine plant. My question is do you consider that
Salvia ambigens is a seperate species as I believe Betsy Clebsch claims in
her book, or do you regard it as the same as Salvia guaranitica 'Blue
Enigma' as John Sutton claims. Either way it is a lovely plant.


Hello, Peter. I remember your visit very well and I'm glad you enjoyed the
garden. The RHS changed ambigens to S. guaranitica a while ago. Up until
then there was, apparently, some confusion because people were calling the
same plant the two names but it is now officially S. guaranitica. There is
another S. guaranitica called Black and Blue, which is taller but it's Ray's
opinion that 'Blue Enigma' is probably hardier and is certainly stronger in
terms of flowering.
As you say it's a lovely plant and ours is still going strong in the garden
and looks wonderful. Another that is doing rather well in a container but
not quite as strong flowering right now is S. Stormy Pink which is quite a
new hybrid, possibly a S. microphylla. S. involucrata Mulberry Jam is a big
favourite of mine as is S. confertiflora but I think we discussed these and
you didn't think they'd be suitable for you. They come through the winter
with us but I know they're borderline. I think 'Mulberry Jam' was found in
Betsy Clebsch's garden.
BTW, did you know that Christine Yeo is giving up opening to the public? I
think she's going to go on breeding and raising plants, though.
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/