Salvia in the Style of 'Wendy's Wish'
Popularity of three Australian hybrid Salvias — known as the Wishes — grew so much in the past decade that new series of Wish-like sages began emerging. These include the Skyscraper and Fashion sages, which were developed by U.S. companies.
Although exact parentage is unclear for some of these plants, we do know that all Salvias in the style of Wendy’s Wish are crosses of North and South American sages and provide long lasting bloom that hummingbirds love.
All of the sages pictured here grow well in coastal full sun locations where year-round temperatures are moderate. In areas where summers are hot, they appreciate some partial shade during the hottest times of day. Wish-style sages adapt to many kinds of soil as long as it drains well. Average watering based on local conditions is sufficient, but these are moisture-loving plants.
Related Blog entries for plants in the Salvia in the Style of 'Wendy's Wish'
Flowers that butterflies and hummingbirds favor are rich sources of nectar. But not all nectar-rich butterfly favorites are easy to access with long hummingbird beaks. Conversely, many flowers designed by nature to attract hummingbirds don't have the structure necessary for feeding butterflies or providing a perch. Here are ten Salvias and companion plants for backyard wildlife habitat that both butterflies and hummingbirds will enjoy.
Plants contribute to our lives in many ways -- as sources of beauty, building materials, clothing, food, fragrance, medicine and oxygen. Add hope and fulfillment to the list, because that is what three abundantly blooming Salvias from Australia add to the lives of seriously ill children. These plants form the Wish Collection -- Wendy's Wish Sage, Ember's Wish Sage, and Love and Wishes Sage. Flowers by the Sea is one of the first online nurseries in America to sell all three. Although we have grown and sold Wendy's Wish for a number of years, Ember's Wish and Love and Wishes are new at FBTS.
Most gardeners associate plants in the genus Salvia with full sun, rocky soil, drought and semi-arid native lands. Although a number of sages fit this picture, far more appreciate loamy, fertile garden soil. Some require lots of water. Also, a large number of sages thrive in partial shade, and some tolerate full shade. Here are six of the many shade lovers that Flowers by the Sea grows.
Randy Collins was surprised when he got hooked on horticulture following retirement. But after a move to South Carolina, he was even more surprised at how deer destroyed his gardens until he began growing lots of mint family (Lamiaceae) plants like Salvias. It inspired him to write Stop...and Smell the Mints.
| Name | Mature height | Mature width | Flower color | Bract color | Exposure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salvia x 'Ember's Wish' | 3 to 4 feet | 3 to 4 feet | Vivid Red | Moderate Red | Full sun to partial shade |
| Salvia x 'Love and Wishes' | 2 to 3 feet | 2 to 3 feet | Deep Purplish Red | Dark Purple | Full sun to partial shade |
| Salvia x 'Wendy's Wish' | 3 to 4 feet | 3 to 4 feet | Strong Purplish Red | Strong Yellowish Green | Full sun to partial shade |
| Salvia x 'Skyscraper Pink' | 2 to 3 feet | 2 to 3 feet | Very Pale Purple | Grayish Red | Partial to full shade |
| Salvia x 'Skyscraper Orange' | 2 to 3 feet | 2 to 3 feet | Strong Red | Moderate Reddish Orange | Partial to full shade |
| Salvia x 'Skyscraper Dark Purple' | 1 to 2 feet | 1 to 2 feet | Not yet defined * | Not yet defined * | Partial to full shade |
| Salvia x 'Kisses and Wishes' | 2 to 3 feet | 2 to 3 feet | Not yet defined * | Not yet defined * | Partial shade |
| Salvia Fashion Cherry | 2 to 3 feet | 3 to 4 feet | Not yet defined * | Not yet defined * | Full sun to partial shade |
| Salvia Fashion Burgundy | 2 to 3 feet | 3 to 4 feet | Deep Reddish Purple | Dark Purple | Full sun to partial shade |