Salvia issue I didn't know about ...

I guess I must have fallen off the earth or something because I wasn't aware of this. I read this article just today:

http://my.att.net/s/editorial.dll?fromspage=all/home.htm&categoryid=&bfromind=7406&eeid=5745338&_sitecat=1522&dcatid=0&eetype=article&render=y&ac=3&ck=&ch=ne&rg=blsadstrgt&_lid=332&_lnm=tg+ne+topnews&ck=

I had no idea that Salvia might be on the illegal to grow list! This is absolutely ridiculous! I can't believe what kids will do to get high ... from breathing aerosol cans to smoking plants and seeds to heaven knows what!

I have Salvia growing all over my garden beds and also in my school garden. What is this world coming to???? And hummers and bees love this plant!

Becky, this doesn't cover all salvia. There are so many different kinds out there. Still, I think that it is terrible that someone has found a potentially dangerous use for it.

Yes, this Salvia divinorum is getting a lot of press. Some of the reaction seems like overkill to me, but who knows, the interest in it may grow into something that becomes a problem.

When I read about it on the internet I ran downstairs to the basement to my seedling light farm to check the salvias I'm starting to see if I had that one! No, I don't. And it turns out the seeds are hard to come by and most of the plants are started from cuttings (from what I've read on the internet) and that particular salvia is difficult to grow. It has very specific cultural conditions.

I did check plant files for it and there are a few text entries, mostly from non-DG members who are either pro- or con- these sorts of plants. And a couple of pictures of it. A pretty unremarkable bloom, but I guess they don't grow it for that!

Becky, your Coral Nymph salvias are OUTSTANDING!

Carla

I saw that info too. I agree, what is this world coming to? Gosh, when we were kids, all we thought about was playing outside and riding our bikes. Guess if anyone is growing this variety, they better keep it protected--kids will be sneaking into their yards at night to steal it!

Thanks, Carla! To be totally honest ... Salvia is practically a weed in my yard. It grows EVERYWHERE! Good thing the bees and hummers like it so much! I've even seen skippers nectaring from the blooms. LOL! I didn't even plant Salvia in those 2 pots. The pots were sitting near some in-ground Salvia and must have gotten seeds in the pot. Next thing I knew there was this tremendous growth going on and then the flowers! LOL! It does look really pretty when it is lush and spilling out of the pots and blooming up a storm. When some of the plants die, more grow in it's place. It's a weed! LOL!

Apparently the illegal salvia is a rare one and harder to grow. I have a Brugmansia in a large pot in my front garden bed. I actually worry that some kids might come along and steal it for the same reason. (sheesh)

Most teens are more likely to break into someones medicine cabinet or liquor closet then steal a plant, plus they most likely don't even know a salvia from a rose bush.

But my question is which salvia's are the best for attracting hummingbirds? Patti

I think this subject is a lot like Poppies and opium. It's not like all poppies are opium poppies, etc. And some times I get so aggravated at the media. Think how many more people know this plant now that did not before. sheesh.

How many people would know how to make opium from the poppy flower? I just started a mess of the poppy seeds, Papaver somniferum, which are still on all the seed stands. I do love them so, but just for the flower. I am not expecting any night visitors for them either. Patti

Build a better mouse trap and the world will beat a path to your door :o)

Yep, I read about that a few days ago. It was on the AOL home page.
They'd hit up on everything from coca leaves, to peyote, mushrooms, poppies, morning glory seeds, datura and now salvia. What gives?

When I think back of all the medicinal herbs my grandparents used I am amazed we're allowed to grow anything.

Hmmm...I don't see any hummies rolling doobies just yet :o)

~ Cat

Too funny, yes soon some one will soon want to ban Humulus lupulus and then we will have another prohibition era. Now if we could just trick the kids into thinking that studying will get them high and for free! Patti

bbrookrd

About the salvias for hummingbirds, Here is a list of several that have been successful HB attractors in a zone 5 Hummingbird garden (not my garden) with a few 'editorial' comments:

Salvia greggi 'Navajo Red'--highly recommended for northern gardens

Agastache mexicana--'this will be a winner in your hummingbird garden'

Brazillian Blue Sage--they say it's better than Guarnica Black and Blue

Salvia darcyi--A very good garden performer and popular with the HBs

Salvia ‘Silke’s Dream’ --available from Plants Delight and a cross of Salvia darcyi

Salvia ‘Hot Lips’--Very attractive to fall migrating hummingbirds and highly recommended

Salvia ‘Waverly’ --a relative to the Mexican Bush Sage and is highly recommended

Salvia Purple Majesty--Continues to perform well in the garden and attracts HBs

Salvia coccinea--A longtime favorite of Hummingbirds and grows well in the garden from seed (Select Seeds)

This probably should be in a separate thread, so I'll stop now!

Tabasco, I am grateful for your list of salvia as this is why I was looking at "Hummingbird and Butterfly Gardening: Salvia issue I didn't know about ..." It never occurred to me this tread was about a new drug craze. What you learn about on DG! I just bought two beautiful hand blown glass feeders and want to add some better plants for HB. I am ever hopeful. http://www.bobbybell.net/home.html Off to read about this nice list. Thanks so much. Patti

Oooh. Those are beautiful feeders! I will be interested to know how they work for the HBs!

This is a very good link to some detailed info about attractive plants for Hummingbird gardens compiled by some serious HB gardeners in Wisconsin... https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/mjrock/web/plants05.pdf

Tabasco, thanks again. I am going to have to start a special page in my diary(blog) for all the good information I glean from you. I saw these at the flower show in Boston and I am a sucker for blown glass, I hope the HB are too!!! Patti

Tabasco you are the Queen of the Search! We all appreciate the info you provide for us!

BTW I know those 2 people on that last link you provided. Very nice folks.

Yes, they are. And they know their Hummingbird plants, don't they?!