August 2010

My association with Salvia ‘Mulberry Jam’ started in June last year, when I accidentally (you will just have to take my word for it, it was an accident) broke a branch transporting it from the Cactus House to the Exotic Garden. By way of penance, I took cuttings from which 3 new plants were born. They came through the winter unscathed. I gave one to Louise to thank her for dinner. In mid-summer, I asked her how it was doing, and she was pleased to report that hers was ‘growing like a weed’. I was motivated to plant mine out to see how it would perform. I am pleased to report mine is growing like a weed too.

I planted the salvia in the High Garden last week. Chanting ‘grow you bastard, grow’ while I sprinkled Growmore on the soil, it is with the greatest of expectations that I released them into the ground. I expect them to make every Peter, Pierre and Pedro weep with pleasure and collapse with amazement every time they pass my colony; plus provide ample material for propagation and subsequently, for sale in the nursery.