Salvia jamensis La Luna - Sage

Salvia jamensis La Luna is a charming variety of shrubby sage with pale yellow flowers, a rather rare colour within this group of sages. The plant forms a small, flexible bush, very abundantly flowering for months, with a summer break that is longer or shorter depending on the climate. Its small green leaves are more or less evergreen, releasing a pronounced tangy scent at the slightest touch. This drought-resistant variety is relatively hardy. To thrive, it only needs very well-drained soil, even chalky, and a sunny or partly shaded position.

Salvia x jamensis La Luna is a horticultural selection. It is derived from a natural hybrid of Salvia greggii and S. microphylla, commonly found in the mountains of Mexico. Like all sages, 'La Luna' belongs to the large family of Lamiaceae or Labiatae. This shrubby perennial has a flexible, branched, rounded habit, almost as wide as tall. It will reach about 60 cm in all directions, or even more in fertile soil. The nectar-rich flowering is long; it starts in May-June, pauses if July and August are dry, then resumes in September and continues until November if the cold does not put an end to it. The flowers are grouped in spikes at the tips of the stems, above the foliage. They are two-lipped, barely more than 2 cm in length, and pale yellow. They barely live a day, but will be replaced the next morning. The foliage is most often evergreen and composed of small oval, slightly toothed, medium green, thick, aromatic and slightly sticky leaves, releasing an essential oil with a strong tangy smell. They measure 1 to 2 cm in length. This variety is hardy down to -10/-12 °C in well-drained soil.

The warmer, lower light of autumn enhances the flowering of shrubby sages, which capture light through their petals like tiny stained-glass windows. These plants are among those that have contributed to the fame of the genus Salvia: minimal maintenance, but almost uninterrupted flowering from spring until frost. They are found in English cottage gardens and Mediterranean gardens. This sage 'La Luna' associates well with varieties with blue, mauve or salmon flowers. But its combination with medium ornamental grasses or autumn asters is fabulous: choose those that require little care, such as Aster laevis or Aster turbinellus for example. Gauras, large sedums (Sedum 'Matrona'), shrubby cinquefoils and the blue spikes of caryopteris will create a charming picture with it. Plant it in a large pot on the terrace, covering its base with bright blue lobelia.

In Mexico, a tasty tea is prepared from the leaves of this sage, which is called 'mountain myrtle' locally.