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Looking for: Salvia that is somewhat slug resistant

tlchimeratlchimera Posts: 51
Hi there,
I adore the look of Salvias, and theoretically I have nice conditions for them in bits of my garden - sunny, well drained, not sure I've quite hit moist yet but I keep adding organic matter so hopefully it'll get there. However the two times I've attempted to establish them my slugs have been thrilled by their new dinner. I tried Amistad and Black and Blue. 

Such is life (I spent a lot of last year wandering around in the dark slug hunting, but still lost my emerging foxtail lilies, which was the one thing I was really trying to protect, in general I've tried to put in plants they are less fond of, although they'll have a wee nibble of any new shoots) 

However I've seen some people comment that their molluscs prefer some of their salvias to others, and that the slugs tend to prefer ones that don't have tougher leaves etc. If it's not too much trouble, I wondered if you could recommend me a variety that works better for you than others (obviously I don't expect them to completely avoid it, but a fighting chance would be nice.)

Thank you. 
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Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    The woody salvias such as hot lips don't seem to be troubled. Amistad however seems to attract them from miles around.
  • tlchimeratlchimera Posts: 51
    The woody salvias such as hot lips don't seem to be troubled. Amistad however seems to attract them from miles around.
    Thank you!
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I agree the shrubby salvias are ignored by slugs and snails - I have Clotted Cream which has never been touched by them, but they're not as showy as the usual salvias.

    I had 5 Amistad for about 5 years in my garden and they usually come through slug damage ok, but last year I lost all of them to slugs/snails.
    S.Patens also seem reasonably immune to them and are easy from seed

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • tlchimeratlchimera Posts: 51
    Pete.8 said:
    I agree the shrubby salvias are ignored by slugs and snails - I have Clotted Cream which has never been touched by them, but they're not as showy as the usual salvias.

    I had 5 Amistad for about 5 years in my garden and they usually come through slug damage ok, but last year I lost all of them to slugs/snails.
    S.Patens also seem reasonably immune to them and are easy from seed
    Thank you that's really helpful ♥️ I'm sorry you lost all your Amistad last year, how frustrating. 
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I agree too, none of the shrubby ones (S. greggii, S. microphylla and their hybrids) seem to be slug bait. They come in a wide range of colours - reds, pinks, purples, blues, peach, light yellow, white), not just the bicolour "lips" ones. Some have bigger flowers than others (but generally not as big as Amistad and other similar ones). For example the flowers on Blue Note and Nachtvlinder are quite small, Lena and Deep Purple have slightly bigger flowers.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    There's good salvia info. on this site https://www.dysonsalvias.com/about/ . I've referred to it often but never bought from them.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Sadly Dyson don't do mail order as far as l'm aware. l visited the nursery a few years ago and spent quite a bit.
    You could try Middletons, they have a good selection and l can recommend them. The pink on the website makes my eyes hurt though !
    https://middletonnurseries.co.uk/

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    That'll be why I've never been tempted to buy from them!
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    Salvia 'Caradonna,' 'Amethyst' and similar hardy perennial ones seem fairly resistant. 

    I haven't found Amistad has a problem once it is growing away well, for me it's the early spring shoots from below ground which don't seem to have a chance against the slugs. Growing in pots improves things a lot. And they seem to do well in pots, despite getting quite hot and dry.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Salvia nemerosa "Caradonna" has survived slug free in my garden, even near the Bergenias where they hide!  I like its columnnar form and dense, dark blue flowers, as do the bees!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


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