Salvia – the People’s Choice winners at RHS Hyde Hall

From 94 salviaspecies and cultivars on trial, the clear winner of the People’s Choice vote was Salviafarinacea ‘Strata’; a compact cultivar

Gardeners often use the word variety when referring to a specific plant, but the correct botanical term is 'cultivar'. Whichever word you use, it means a distinctive plant or plants, given a specific cultivar name and usually bred to enhance certain characteristics, such as flower or fruit size, colour, flavour or fragrance, plant size, hardiness, disease resistance, etc. Additionally, it is worth knowing that, botanically, variety has another meaning - it refers to a naturally-occurring distinct plant that only has slight differences in its looks. For example, Malva alcea var. fastigiata differs from typical plants by having an upright habit.

with a distinctive white-blue colour combination.

Bi-colours, compact habits and the ability to attract bees were characteristics praised by visitors to the trial in the Floral Fantasia area of RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Essex. Among four closely-contested runners up, S. greggii MIRAGE™ Rose Bicolour took second place, another compact choice whose pink and white bicolour blooms are as attractive to pollinators as they were to visitors to the display.

"Many people were blown away by the abundance of bees and pollinators in the trial area"

Mandy Tout, RHS Trials Coordinator

RHS People’s Choice Winners

First place

Salviafarinacea ‘Strata’

Voters' comments include: love the contrast; unusual, beautiful flowers

Second place

Salvia greggii MIRAGE™ Rose Bicolour

Voters' comments include: pretty, delicate and unusual; like rhubarb and custard

Third place

Salvia MYSTIC SPIRES BLUE

Voters' comments include: the bees are loving it; fab colour and staying power

Fourth place

Salvia patens

Voters' comments include: amazing colour; lovely delicate, deep blue flowers

Fifth place

Salviaviridis BOUQUET MIXED

Voters' comments include: beautiful contrast; bright & pretty

“Many people were blown away by the abundance of bees and pollinators in the trial area. It was nice to see the public so enthusiastic about this and even selecting their favourite salvia primarily on its ability to attract bees,” says Trials Coordinator Mandy Tout.

For the purposes of the RHS Trial judging, the plants were not deadheaded. “As we headed into September, the low-maintenance choices really came into their own,” says Mandy. “Gems such as MYSTIC SPIRES BLUE (‘Balsalmisp’) and MYSTIC SPIRES SKY BLUE both grew in popularity in the later part of the summer owing to their excellent staying power.”