Salvia is a huge family of flowering plants, from the blazing red salvia used as summer bedding to the ordinary herb sage. Many are non-woody, herbaceous plants and quite a few are somewhat woody – at least at the base of the plant. Those kinds are shrubs woody enough not to die back in winter. Although the wood is soft and the stems tend to be brittle, the shrubby species are more like shrubs than perennial flowers.

They make pretty bushes to about one metre tall and a bit wider, and bigger when grown with the protection of a wall. All salvias have a tubular top petal, often hooded, and a broader, flat, lower petal to facilitate the landing of pollinating insects.

A number of similar species, including Salvia greigii and Salvia microphylla, have been used by plant breeders to raise new varieties, and additions are made to the range every year. The parent species might appear in some gardens, but generally are superseded by their hybrids.

The most successful of these is Hot Lips, which has a white lip of which the bottom half is bright scarlet. This very striking plant has generated lot of interest in other kinds. It flowers from early summer to late autumn, as do all kinds. It might only be a handful of flowers late in the year, but they are still welcome. The colours are bright red, pink, purple and shades of these colours.

Raspberry Royale has deep raspberry-purple flowers, a really lovely plant with autumn colour around. Nel is blue-purple with smallish flowers with a larger lower lip. Royal Bumble is bright orange-red, with a rounded lower lip. El Duranzo is hot pink, while Senorita Leah is a soft candy pink and La Luna is off-white, with pale coffee-brown tinting the tubular part of the flower.

There are dozens of other named varieties, not always available, but most garden centres stock some kind or other in early summer.

The Spanish names of some of the hybrids reflect the parent species’ origins in Mexico and the US southwest. Coming from a warm climate, salvias are not all that hardy, but they survive an average winter and can last for many years in the garden in the absence of hard frost.

Being small, salvias are ideal for small beds close to a wall, where the extra warmth encourages them to flower better and longer. They make good fillers at the front of a border, flowering for months and late into the growing season. It is an excellent little shrub for growing in pots and can be used on a paved area to bring a touch of summer.

Do not worry if there is some surface damage by frost. Leave the plant without pruning until late spring when new shoots will appear. When these are well sprouted, carefully cut away any frost-damaged twigs as this makes the little bush look much neater and allows the new shoots to grow out. These will begin to flower in summer. The more severe the frost setback, the later they come into flower.

To reduce the danger of frost damage, grow the plant in a sunny spot, in well-drained, light, sandy soil. Dig in a bucket of gravel or coarse sand at planting.

Though not very woody, these little plants are long-lasting, barring a severe frost. They are very easily grown from cuttings to have new plants as a standby. Take some soft cuttings in July and grown them on in small pots to winter indoors. CL

Booming borage

Borage had a great year and it is still flowering well – and will continue to do so into winter. This is a fleshy, soft plant that loves plenty of moisture, sunlight and rich feeding. Its star-shaped blue flowers are clear and striking, and a welcome source of both early and later nectar – a plant of real value that’s beneficial to insects for many months of the year. If you once sow borage, you will have it as self-sown seedlings for a long time. Old plants are rich in nutrients and can be composted readily. Seeds persist in the compost and new plants pop-up occasionally. They never become a nuisance, but can be easily hoed out.

Fruit, vegetables and herbs

Spring cabbage plants can be planted with netting to keep pigeons out, if necessary. Prune raspberries, blackcurrants and gooseberries. Lift and store potatoes and carrots for winter use. Parsnips generally keep better when left in the ground. Cut back asparagus and remove weeds if the fern is yellow.

Flowers

Divide perennial border flowers or plant new ones, choosing varieties that are easy to look after and need no staking. The soil is perfect for planting spring bulbs and these should be planted as soon as possible to get them off to a good start, rooting well before winter. No more feeding of pots now.

Trees, shrubs and roses

Prune rambler roses and climbers that have finished flowering, tying in new shoots. Plant evergreens of all kinds, just a little ahead of the main season for planting deciduous trees. Plant now either from pots or as soon as root-balled plants are available, and, of course, plant pot-grown deciduous trees and shrubs.

Lawn

The damp weather during the summer months has given a boost to lawn moss, so use sulphate of iron mosskiller now if necessary. Moss will continue to grow during the winter months in any mild spell. Mow as long as the soil is not soggy and use an autumn lawn fertiliser soon, before it gets too wet.

Greenhouse and house plants

Greenhouse tomatoes may still ripen this month if there is some sunshine. If there are a lot of them and the weather is not conducive, pick most of the remainder and ripen them indoors on a tray, or use them in cooking. Stop feeding and water only plants that are still in active growth, such as cyclamen.