Product Description

Salvia is derived from the Latin word salvare, "to heal," and for centuries salvias have been valued for their medicinal and culinary qualities. Salvias, commonly known as sages, grow throughout temperate and subtropical parts of the world, from sea level to altitudes of more than 11,000 feet (3400 meters). They occur in many forms: perennial, biennial, annual herbs, and evergreen or deciduous shrubs. These amazingly varied plants are also noteworthy for their remarkable resistance to pests and diseases, their drought tolerance and their beautiful flowers. Following the great success of Betsy Clebsch's first book on salvias comes this expanded edition, The New Book of Salvias: Sages for Every Garden. Betsy has added more than 50 new species and cultivars such as Salvia castanea and S. recurva, bringing the total to approximately 150 beautiful, gardenworthy species and significant hybrids. She documents them alphabetically and includes botanical descriptions, information on habit, blooming cycle, recommended companion plants, and delightful historical tidbits of discovery and usage. Nearly 100 new photos and illustrations make this new edition even more attractive than its predecessor. In her ardent pursuit of salvias, Clebsch has explored the wild to collect plants and seeds to test in her California garden. The resulting wealth of cultural information in The New Book of Salvias ensures that our gardens will not only be exquisitely aromatic but also wonderfully picturesque.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #985262 in Books
• Published on: 2003-04-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 344 pages

From Booklist
Dip into most any gardening magazine or journal and Betsy Clebsch's name will likely appear in tandem with a mention of salvias or the sages. A zealous and intimate knowledge of these beautiful garden specimens informs Clebsch's newly expanded study, which takes in 150 species and hybrid varieties hailing from Africa to Asia to South America and the United States. Serving as a growing guide as well as a fine resource for a bevy of ornamental and beneficial plants, the book features an alphabetical format that gardeners will find helpful for making selections based on such characteristics as bold felted leaves, eye-catching flower color, or highly aromatic resinous foliage, combined with aspects of size, cold tolerance, and cultural requirements. Those who pay heed to Clebsch's suggestions for plant pairings and propagation advice will doubtless join the legions of gardeners who already revel in creating beds and borders reigned over by easy, useful, floriferous salvias. Alice Joyce
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
Betsy (Clebsch) has continued her research and documentation of this endlessly fascinating group of plants. The result is The New Book of Salvias and a superior book it is ... but it is her engrossing story of each salvia that will inspire the reader to add just a few more to the garden. Pacific Horticulture, Fall 2003 (Pacific Horticulture )

Betsy Clebsch displays once again her experience with and extensive knowledge of this useful and diverse genus. Judy Mielke, American Gardener, September/October 2003 (American Gardener )

About the Author
Betsy Clebsch is a noted amateur botanist and horticulturist in Northern California, having made and tended five gardens in Virginia, Texas, and California. Clebsch has participated in a number of plant explorations and regularly exchanges seed and rare plants, particularly salvias, with many botanical gardens.