Salvia broussonetii - 9cm pot
This is a fabulous architectural shrubby species from the Canary Islands which deserves to be more widely grown in gardens here, especially warmer areas. Even here I wouldn't be without it, although the top layer of foliage tends to get a little burnt in heavy frosts, but it soon bounces back. The slightly heart shaped leaves are quite large and a lovely soft green overlaid with a shimmer of grey, thick and crinkly and a perfect foil for other perennials and small shrubs with finer foliage and flowers. Spikes of white flowers in summer add to the show, but its sumptuous evergreen foliage is the big drawcard. Full sun and good drainage is best. Hardy to light frost and long-lived. Size at maturity depends on the soil fertility - 70cm - 1.5m, for a smaller, tougher plant keep it in poorer soil. 9cm pot.