This plant is over 5 feet tall With huge leaves and interesting shaped leaves.
can anyone id this salvia/sage
It looks like my madriensis. Does it get yellow flowers?
Gothqueen, I haven't seen it bloom yet but after looking at pictures of madriensis the leaves do not look like the ones on my plant. took some close up photos of leaves-they are large. If you look at comparison to my hand, you can see that it is larger than my hand and notice the stems have a leaf look. Have never seen anything like it.
It may be Brillantasia subuliguerica (giant salvia), a tropical salvia with large purplish-blue flower spikes. I have one in my garden whose leaves look almost identical to your plant.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://toptropicals.com/pics/garden/2004/5/5314.jpg&imgrefurl=http://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/BRILLANTAISIA_GUIANENSIS.htm&usg=__8khuQJiwF2Og1mUtWrfyx3KfgS0=&h=566&w=600&sz=98&hl=en&start=20&tbnid=m157fJGFrCzciM:&tbnh=127&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3DBrillantaisia%2Bnitens%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX
Lord, I hope this works. Very nice find. Where did you get it? How hardy is it?
Johanna
You're right on closer inspection its is different
Flicker, a friend gave it to me. I can't wait to see it bloom. How did you know about it? I narrowed it down to the Acanthaceae family and Brillantaisia but got lost from there and could not find out any thing else. Thanks.
Barbara
The original word was mispelled. once google suggested an alternate spelling I found it on several sites. The site I sent was the clearest leaf photo. Will you try to take cuttings? Or maybe it spreads by runners. nice plant!!
Johanna
Johanna, it roots easily and grows very fast I think you would have to use Roundup to kill it. I just moved my cuttings over to prennial pots. LMK if you would like some.
How tender is this giant salvia? does it produce nectar? have you seen insects or birds feeding on its flowers or leaves? I hope it grows like salvis madrensis--dies back in winter and returns every spring, makes a large stand of handsome leaves with heavy blooms in its season. The drawback with madrensis is neither butterflies nor hummers use it. On the other hand, nothing eats the leaves, so madrensis looks healthy all season.
Johanna
I get butterflies and native bees on my madrensis all the time! I dn't know if they are actually feeding off it but they certainly go to it. It reseeds itself too, I started with one plant and after 2 seasons I have about 12.
Barb if you got it from me it is Brillantaisia guianensis that I got from Top Tropicals
http://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/BRILLANTAISIA_GUIANENSIS.htm
Donna, how are you. Yes I did get it from you and I love the leaf shape. Haven't seen it bloom yet. Will send you a dmail.