A Salvia Collection - by Meg Bentley
I am a plant collector with provisional registration of Salvias with the Ornamental Plant Conservation Association of Australia. I have been growing Salvias since 1989, in that time my collection has slowly but steadily been increasing; there are now over 150 species in the garden and many more counting all the varieties.
Salvias originate throughout the world; some of the countries include Africa, North and South, Asia, Europe, Mediterranean, Middle East, South America and North America including California and Mexico.
Most of the growing has been through trial and error, because of lack of information about this plant species. Most of my research has been through reading the Floras of certain countries and corresponding with overseas organisations. Had I known about the Ornamental Plant Conservation Association of Australia in the early days it would have saved me a lot of anguish and concern. They could have put me in touch with growers, suppliers and a few organisations that could have been a great help in acquiring the relevant information.
Through membership with the OPCAA I can have access to further information, invite many interested groups visit the Salvia Gardens and assist students who want to learn more about these plants. Through these gardens one can see and learn at first hand how well Salvias can and do perform in an Australian temperate climate especially where water conservation is at a premium.
 
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