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One of the earliest of the salvias to flower. Each slender upright stem carries a series of comparatively large hooded flowers in candyfloss pink which open in succession up its length. Large rosettes of grey green leaves form a dense groundcover canopy. A fine Salvia exhibiting strong and vigorous growth and producing a second flush of flowers later in July and August. Attractive to bees and butterflies.

• Garden care: To prolong flowering cut out spent flower spikes as soon as they start to fade leaving foliage to mature into rich autumn tones. Alternatively cut back the whole plant after early flowering in late May/June to enjoy a second flush of blooms in July and August. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost or manure around the base of the plant in spring.