Viewing comments posted by jg0613

I purchased the plant from Flowers by the Sea. Transplanted from nursery pot into ground early June 2018. It is in a location that gets sun all morning up till about 2pm and light shade after that. This is a tall plant, stems stay fairly upright and it has gotten lots of stems. It bloomed earlier in the summer, then had a period of no blooms but growth and is now blooming again, started about a week ago but now really taking off! The plant is over 4 feet tall at the shortest and a bit over 5 feet at the tallest (and still growing). The width was about 2-3 feet (a couple of stems broke in high winds during a thunderstorm and I pruned a few more off). The blooms are a pretty orange and plentiful when in bloom. Hummingbirds love it. This requires more water than some Salvias. We had pretty severe drought and very hot temps through June and July. Since August we have seemed to more than catch up on rain and temperatures more normal. The plant has stayed healthy through it all. It does set seed- a few small seedlings have already appeared but they won't get large enough before frost. Hoping seed may overwinter and will have volunteers of this next year as I have experienced with the S Coccinea Summer Jewel Red. If not I think I would grow it again as an annual. With the nice tall form and lovely blooms, I recommend it!

I ordered one plant from Flowers by the Sea -- planted in ground in location receiving morning sun and light shade in afternoon. This is the first year I have grown this particular S Guaranitica. The plant needed a lot of supplemental watering June, July, and into August as we had moderate to severe drought and higher than normal temperatures, but since mid to late August we have had frequent rains, some accompanied by storms with strong winds. This was very late to bloom -- do not know whether this is usual for this Salvia or the result of our unusual summer. During June, July, and early August it grew fast and filled out nicely with good upright habit and got about 4 feet tall. With the rains and wind many of the stems began to sprawl sideways, so pruned the worst. Buds began about third week of August with first blooms the last week of August. But, oh my, they were worth waiting for: very deep blue with a hint of deep purple! Blooms are becoming numerous and are large. I am hoping that it survives the winter and returns next year. Definitely would grow it again whether this one returns next year or not.Hummingbirds are still around and they love it. I consider its performance adequate given the challenging weather this year, not to mention rampant spider mites! Definitely recommend this Salvia!

This is a Flowers by the Sea introduction, offered for the first time in 2017. On the FBTS website it is described as a true member of the species rather than a hybrid. I have grown this variety last year and am growing it this year (2 plants each year, all planted in ground with sun all morning but light shade in afternoon when it is hottest). Like all Guaraniticas, requires more water than some Salvias. FBTS website also says that this variety can survive zone 6 winters with protection. Mine from last year did not return- however I did not use any protection and we had a very cold winter.
This is unequivocally an EXCELLENT Salvia in my opinion. For me personally, it combines my favorite Salvia species with my favorite color (purple blooms). More generally, it is a very tough variety with strong stems which hold up well even in our bad windy storms here in the middle of the country. This summer was a huge challenge with drought and long period of extreme heat and this Salvia was one that did the best, stayed healthy looking all over. Even survived a bad spider mite infestation better than some others. Blooms earlier than some guaraniticas and once it starts, it doesn't stop and there are always lots of blooms. Hummingbirds love it of course!
I will definitely be growing this one every year, even if it means buying new ones each year! @FBTS you have a real winner here!

This is the first year I have grown any Porterweed. It is an annual for me. So I ordered 2 varieties from "Almost Eden" and this one "Henlea's Hummingbird Heaven" was one of the 2. It arrived in very healthy condition with 2 good sized bloom stalks already on it. Planted in ground in an area that gets sun all morning then light shade later in the hotttest part of the day. It took off like crazy! I didn't purchase it as early as I would have preferred but it is growing fast. The first 2 bloom stalks finished but more keep coming all the time! Just LOVE the color of the flowers! Compared to Coral Porterweed (the other selection I got) the flowers are the same size- this one stays more compact but good sized. Haven't taken photos yet but will try to take and post some here soon. I definitely will grow this one again! I highly recommend it.

Purchased my plant from Flowers by the Sea. Purple is my absolute favorite color- the purple of the blooms is very close to the color of Salvia Amistad blooms. I planted it in ground. The leaves are indeed glossy but are not as glossy as when the plant first arrived- perhaps due to my soil or other conditions. Nevertheless they are attractive leaves. This Salvia does not grow as rapidly as Amistad but definitely worth growing as an annual. The stems of this Salvia are stronger than some, standing up well to winds. Hummingbirds visited regularly on this plant. Thanks to @FBTS for this wonderful Salvia!

I purchased this Salvia from Flowers by the Sea early in summer. It is one of a few I did not originally plant in the best location. It wasn't getting enough sun. Since I moved it to a sunnier location it has been thriving. The leaves are beautifully textured and the blooms are quite large. Pink is not really one of my favorite colors, but these pink blooms are beautiful with great color saturation. I would describe them as a "rich creamy pink." Mine did not get near the stated height or width, but I believe it easily would have if I had planted it earlier and in the better location. This beauty definitely needs full sun. I plan to grow it again.

This variety of Salvia guaranitica is a beauty. I purchased this plant from Flowers by the Sea late in spring 2016. It has thrived despite a challenging summer. Still blooming like crazy and should continue till frost. I have no doubt it would have attained the stated height of 6-7 feet had I gotten it in the ground earlier. Also did lose some branches with winds during storms, but really they held up pretty well for the most part. Bloom stalks are plentiful and lots of blooms on each. Blooms are almost iridescent, sometimes looking more blue but other times more lavender/purple, depending on viewing angle and lighting. Hummingbirds definitely love it. Should be perennial for me, but definitely worth growing as an annual.