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Salvia is derived from the Latin word salvare, "to heal," and for centuries salvias have been valued for their medicinal and culinary qualities. Salvias, commonly known as sages, grow throughout temperate and subtropical parts of the world, from sea level to altitudes of more than 3400 metres. They occur in many forms: perennial, biennial, annual herbs and evergreen or deciduous shrubs. These amazingly varied plants are also noteworthy for their remarkable resistance to pests and diseases, their drought tolerance–and their beautiful flowers. The New Book of Salvias: Sages for Every Garden is now available in paperback. Betsy documents approximately 150 beautiful, gardenworthy species alphabetically, and includes botanical descriptions, information on habit, blooming cycle, recommended companion plants and delightful historical tidbits of discovery and usage. In her ardent pursuit of salvias, Clebsch has explored the wild to collect plants and seeds to test in her California garden. The resulting wealth of cultural information in The New Book of Salvias ensures that our gardens will not only be exquisitely aromatic but also wonderfully picturesque.
Media Reviews
A much-expanded edition of the author's 1997 monograph, covering 150 kinds of salvia, including many species she has collected from the wild ... a valuable volume for British enthusiasts.
North Devon Journal 01/07/2003
Gives fine descriptions of all plants in the genus that you could wish. . . . Well illustrated with as many color illustrations as necessary.
John E. Bryan Gardening Newsletter 07/05/2003
With the addition of more than 50 new species and nearly 100 new photographs and illustrations, this book surpasses Clebsch's first on salvias.
Garden Design 03/09/2003
Heiser treats us with another gem.
Rudolf Schmid Taxon 15/05/2003
In The New Book of Salvias, Betsy Clebsch, a noted amateur botanist and horticulturist who gardens in northern California, displays once again her experience with and extensive knowledge of this useful and diverse genus . . . the author's expertise in growing salvias shines through.
Judy Mielke American Gardener 06/09/2003
Betsy (Clebsch) has continued her research and documentation of this endlessly fascinating group of plants. The result is The New Book of Salvias -- and a superior book it is . . . but it is her engrossing story of each salvia that will inspire the reader to add just a few more to the garden.
Pacific Horticulture 09/10/2003
This revision includes more than 50 new entries, as well as many new photos and illustrations.
Paula Refi Perennial Notes 01/12/2003
From using native plants in new ways to locating nurseries and designing a native garden, this is packed with fine material.
Library Bookwatch 02/11/2003
An expanded edition of Betsy's first wonderful book on salvias, describing more than 50 new species and cultivars and how to use them in your garden.
University of California Botanical Garden Newsletter 09/06/2004