Yes, the solid, deep pink colour is what I loved, but otherwise it reminded me of the leaf shape and flower size of Royal Bumble. It was so abundant in flowers though. Clearly loves this hotter, drier climate more than cool NE England 😂 This was Royal Bumble before I planted it out two summers ago. Chosen because of its popularity with bees, and as I’ve sought to develop a cat friendly garden!
Cerro Potosi would certainly fit the bill even if it's not the one that @stvkhill 's friend in France has. It's later into flower here than my mystery pink one and less vigorous, but that's not necessarily an issue. The flowers are very similar, maybe a tiny bit bigger and darker (it's not out yet so I'm going by memory).
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Greatly appreciating these recommendations. Beautiful suggestions. I’m so looking forward to seeing our friends again next week and shall be fascinated to see if they can shed any light. It was certainly flowering in abundance.
That one's lovely too @AnniD - a slightly softer lighter pink than either of my deep pink ones (but darker/stronger than Dyson's Joy or Lara). Did it not come through the winter for you?
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Sadly no @JennyJ. I found the ones in the front garden all survived, probably because they are against the house walls and partially protected by the parked car. The ones in the back garden where it's more open played a game of Russian roulette. l don't know if it was coincidence but all the dark red ones seemed to survive, whereas the pink and white ones didn't. The bluer shades such as So cool violet generally sem ok too.
What a shame! Oh well, an opportunity for something different. I lost a So Cool Pale Blue and a Dyson's Maroon that were in pots not against the house (forgot to move them) but they were cuttings so I still have others of the same varieties. The ones in the ground and the ones in pots close to the house did fine and started into growth quite early. The only time I lost all my plants of one variety was 2009/10 when all the Trebah Lilac White died, but everything else survived, so I didn't bother replacing it with the same again.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
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Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
https://middletonnurseries.co.uk/product/salvia-lalarsha/
I found the ones in the front garden all survived, probably because they are against the house walls and partially protected by the parked car.
The ones in the back garden where it's more open played a game of Russian roulette.
l don't know if it was coincidence but all the dark red ones seemed to survive, whereas the pink and white ones didn't. The bluer shades such as So cool violet generally sem ok too.