I just picked up a gallon pot of Salvia leucantha 'Cislano' and wondered how it compared to 'Midnight'/'All Purple', 'Santa Barbara' and other leucantha cultivars. Has anyone grown this?

Thanks!

I haven't heard about this one til now.

@FBTS what do you know about Salvia leucantha 'Cislano'?

I have never heard of it. There has been a trend in the nursery trade - a rather disturbing one - of making up new names for varieties that already have established names. Why? Two reasons that I know of: to avoid licensing of patented varieties (just plain against the law); and just to give an edge to someones marketing program. Both are BAD reasons. The buying public is always looking for something new, and there is financial incentive to bend or stretch or break the rules on the part of growers.

Now please, I am not saying this is the case with 'Cislano'. It appears to be a variety from Civano Nursery in Arizona. It may well be a worthwhile selection. Please keep us posted as to how it does for you.

I had it, was wonderful the first year, and did not survive that next extremely hot summer.

Thanks Kermit!

Sorry you lost it Debra.

Thanks Marilyn, Kermit & Debra!

I know renaming happens a lot with trademarked names especially. Some plants end up with several monikers because companies want to make money off the trademark and deceive people into thinking that it's a new variety. However, the name 'Cislano' doesn't really sound like the typical, cutesy marketing name so it may be a legit cultivar.

'Cislano' is a purple calyx/purple flower variety. It has some flowers on it at the moment but it won't really show its best color until the fall, I'm sure. Sadly, 'Midnight' and 'Santa Barbara' are no longer with me so I can't do a direct comparison to them.

Found this if it helps.

http://www.naraservices.com/

Click on Introductions

We license Salvia 'Cervina' directly from the breeder of this plant, Christiaan Unger. I'll contact him and if this really is a "better" leucantha, we'll test grow it. As a patent was issued for it, someone thought it special.

Thanks for the link, Debra!

Kermit, if you find out anything then please let me know.

I'm thinking the flowers look like they have a touch more red to them than 'Midnight' and 'Santa Barbara', still purple but a warmer purple....but I wouldn't swear to it especially since the color on leucantha changes quite a bit with temperature.