Salvia dentata
Encyclopedia
Salvia dentata is a perennial shrub with short twiggy branches native to western South Africa just north of Cape Town, growing between 2000-5000 ft elevation on dry hillsides, slopes, and streambeds. It was first described by William Aiton
in 1789.
It grows 6 ft tall in its native habitat, less in cultivation, with unusual (for the Salvia family) round stems. The aromatic gray-green leathery leaves are small (.5 in) and tightly packed. The short 2 in inflorescence is tightly packed with whorls of 1 in flowers that range in color from pale blue to light lavender. As the calyces age they expand and turn pink, complimenting the color of the flowers.
William Aiton
William Aiton was a Scottish botanist.Aiton was born near Hamilton. Having been regularly trained to the profession of a gardener, he travelled to London in 1754, and became assistant to Philip Miller, then superintendent of the Chelsea Physic Garden...
in 1789.
It grows 6 ft tall in its native habitat, less in cultivation, with unusual (for the Salvia family) round stems. The aromatic gray-green leathery leaves are small (.5 in) and tightly packed. The short 2 in inflorescence is tightly packed with whorls of 1 in flowers that range in color from pale blue to light lavender. As the calyces age they expand and turn pink, complimenting the color of the flowers.