A Book of Salvias: Sages for Every Garden [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Betsy Clebsch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 17, 1997

This first significant book on the subject covers more than 100 beautiful, garden-worthy species and dozens of hybrids. Salvias are growing in popularity because of their diversity of fragrance, bloom, habit, and color, and many add drought tolerance and disease resistance to their ornamental qualities.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The genus Salvia includes the common garden herb sage, as well as hundreds of species for the ornamental garden. Clebsch maintains a large collection of salvias in her garden in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California, a location well suited to these plants, many of which are native to dry habitats around the world. A few species and hybrids of Salvia are popular bedding plants in the United States, but most of the species described here will be familiar only to collectors. For each species, Clebsch provides a description of the plant and its flowers, native setting, directions for cultivation and propagation, placement in the garden, and desirable companion plants. Appendixes include display gardens and sources for plants and seeds, a flowering guide by season, and other lists of species by various characteristics. There is a wealth of information here for gardeners interested in trying unusual Salvias, but the scholarly tone and the obscurity of the profiled plants may put off casual readers. Recommended for comprehensive gardening collections, especially in California.?Beth Clewis Crim, Prince William P.L., Va.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Salvias constitute the largest genus in the mint family, valued for their medicinal and culinary qualities. More than 900 species of Salvia exist, with more than half occurring in North and South America. Clebsch concentrates on 100 species, providing the scientific name and native habitat of each, including elevation ranges and temperature tolerance, as well as historical background. The author describes the leaves and flowers of each species, its blooming cycle, and its light, watering, fertilizing, and pruning requirements. Clebsch also suggests companion plants and offers data on propagation. The book includes a list of where to see and buy salvias, a flowering guide by seasons, and cold and shade tolerance guides. There are 96 color photographs and 40 line drawings. George Cohen

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 269 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press (April 17, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881923699
• ISBN-13: 978-0881923698
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #846,793 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding information for American Salvia growers, May 28, 2000

By 

Shirley A. Meneice (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Book of Salvias: Sages for Every Garden (Hardcover)

A gem of a book for all those who love or grow salvias in North America. Not only are the descriptions excellent, but so are most of the photographs. As a plus, the author suggests companion plants to use with specific varieties. This is a 'must' for all lovers of salvias.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Betsy Clebsch,a true plantswoman & superb salvia researcher, March 7, 2001

By 

Chris Bryan (Utah) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Book of Salvias: Sages for Every Garden (Hardcover)

This book is an excellent reference for many salvias. Colorful pictures compliment a terrifically popular release from Timber Press. I met Betsy in 1992, when I had a wonderful opportunity to join a friend who at the time,who invited me to join him when visiting her large garden settings up at her home, several miles inland from the ocean, and situated in a lovely valley in the foothills of northern California. A truly devoted researcher, and a well-known plant researcher, you can always find Betsy at any plant symposium that went on in northern or southern California at the various arboreta and botanic gardens. I will never forget that one afternoon, as we helped fix a light lunch with her in her lovely bright and airy kitchen. With almost floor to ceiling windows surrounding us on the south wall, streams of light continually cascaded around us as we walked about the room. Nevin Smith and Betsy discussed the many salvias in her upper garden, as we looked just outside the house to the west. She began to mention several salvias from Mexico, and remarked how she was eager to add more to her collection from that part of the world. Then, she carefully took out a large natural wood box, and as she opened it, a huge stack of receipe cards almost spilled out all over the counter. Each card contained many years of notes, on different well-known, and also rare, unusual and little-known salvias. She remarked how full the box was getting. Nevin said "Well, you'll just have to write a book!" Betsy grinned and looked down shyly. We knew it was just a matter of time. And this IS that book. And we look forward to her writing more. And re: another reviewer of her book, about the fact the photos are all grouped in the center of the book. That is sometimes, the choice of the publisher and in this case I feel it is a good one, because when one reads the book, it is quite easy to go on reading for several pages and note more than one type of salvia, and then look up and reference to several photographs at a time. Plus, as this truly is a great reference book. As a commercial photographer of twenty years, I feel the photos will stay in better shape when the book may travel outside, into the garden. It is certainly not anything that I see detracts from the data the writer has provided, and the quality of photography on her submissions are high quality, indeed. Thanks Betsy, I love your book. I may be managing my own nursery soon, and this will be one of my main reference books for the gardening public to hear about, as well as have an opportunity to purchase on our retail book shelves. I am honored to be able to publicly comment on the dedicated work you have done over the years, and how this is such a great accomplishment to bring this work to share with so many gardeners. We all eagerly await the next one! Chris Bryan, Horticultural Video Producer/Commercial Photographer

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the Best, October 30, 2011

By 

C. Trussell "momchar3" (Texas USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Book of Salvias: Sages for Every Garden (Hardcover)

If you only own one book on salvias, this should be it. My favorite reference guide ever! The photos and text are both excellent.