This is an unusual salvia for Sydney, as it is a Mediterranean plant with a low basal clump of large, hairy leaves. It sends up 80 cm spires of purplish-blue or white flowers like many of the herbaceous types that do not thrive in our humid summers. It is sometimes known as indigo woodland sage. It flowers throughout summer and autumn and can grow in sun or shade. It seems to cope quite well with dry conditions but looks at its best with regular watering. It gently self-seeds. If the foliage looks tired in late summer, it can be cut back hard to encourage new growth. It is attractive grown beneath shrubs such as Camellia sasanqua, cane or shrub Begonia or Hydrangea. The colour of the flowers can be accentuated by the dark foliage of Tradescantia pallida 'Purple Heart' growing nearby. It is very cold tolerant so will also grow well in inland gardens. In my experience, the white form is not as robust as the purplish-blue one.
Spelling of the Latin name has varied over the years. Salvia forskahlei seems to be currently the acceptable name.
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