<p>(Family Lamiatae) This perennial salvia is deciduous in cold climates, but evergreen in milder ones. It can be found at elevations of 6000 ft, growing in mixed forests, meadows and on steep banks. The leaves are mid to dark green and hairy on both surfaces. They develop into a large basal clump 2ft (60cm) high and the same wide. In midsummer the flowering stalks grow to just above the leaves, and are covered in whorls of violet-blue for about six weeks (it may rebloom later in autumn if the weather is good). The two-lipped flower has white streaks with yellow markings on the lower lip, and are long-lasing in cut bouquets.</p><p>Propagate this salvia easily from seed. It likes light, loam soils with good drainage and up to half a day of sun. Plants are very hardy, tolerating temperatures down to 0F (-18C).</p><p>This species comes from the southeastern part of the Balkan Peninsula, and is found from Bulgaria and Greece to the Black Sea coastline of Turkey. It was introduced into horticulture in 1800. It is named in honour of Peter Forsskal of Finland, who collected plants in southwest Arabia in the mid-1700's.</p>
