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TL;DR — Quick Summary
Quick Facts
| Breeding origin | Australia — Lambley Nursery, Victoria |
| Hardiness | Tender — treat as tender in all UK gardens |
| Flower colour | Vivid magenta-pink (Wendy's Wish); sky-blue (African Sky) |
| Flowering season | Late spring to first frosts |
| Height | 90–120cm — more vigorous than compact microphylla |
| Key difference | Australian parentage; larger, more vigorous habit |
| Overwintering | Cuttings in August or move under cover |
| Best for | Bold colour impact; collector gardeners |
Salvia ‘Wendy’s Wish’ UK is an Australian-bred hybrid with a breeding lineage that is completely separate from the Mexican and Central American species that form the backbone of the Middleton Nurseries range. Bred by Lambley Nursery in Victoria, Australia, it produces vivid magenta-pink flowers on upright stems reaching 90–120cm — bolder and more saturated than most UK-market salvias — from late spring right through to the first frosts.
The Australian hybrid salvias — Wendy’s Wish, African Sky, Blue Merced and others bred in a similar tradition — tend to be larger and more vigorous than the compact microphylla group, with a slightly different flower architecture that reflects their different parentage. They have attracted a significant collector following in the UK since their introduction.
Salvia ‘Wendy’s Wish’
Australian hybridVivid magenta-pink flowers on upright stems reaching 90–120cm — larger and more vigorous than compact microphylla varieties. Flowers from late spring right through to the first frosts. The intense, saturated magenta is one of the strongest pinks available in any salvia. Tender; take cuttings in August or move under cover before first frost. Buy Wendy’s Wish →
Salvia ‘African Sky’
Australian hybridClear sky-blue flowers with a slightly different flower architecture to the guaranitica blues — the flowers are more open and accessible, and the plant is slightly more compact at 60–90cm. A genuinely useful shade of blue that bridges the gap between nemorosa violet-blue and guaranitica deep navy. Tender; treat similarly to guaranitica for overwintering.
Salvia ‘Blue Merced’
Australian hybridAnother useful mid-blue — similar in character to African Sky but with a slightly different growth habit. The Australian hybrid blues collectively fill an important gap in the salvia colour range and are valued by collectors who want blue tones without the full height and tenderness of guaranitica.
Salvia ‘Ember’s Wish’
Australian hybridDeep rosy-red flowers — bred in a similar tradition to Wendy’s Wish with the same upright, vigorous character. The flower tone is richer and darker than standard pink microphylla varieties, sitting between the warm pinks and the deeper magentas of the Australian hybrid range.
The Australian hybrid salvias share the same basic growing requirements as the Mexican-origin microphylla group — full sun, free-draining soil, high-potash feeding from May to September — but they tend to be more vigorous and slightly less tolerant of cold wet winters. Treat all of them as tender in UK gardens.
☀ Position & Soil
Full sun in a sheltered position with free-draining soil. The larger, more vigorous habit of Australian hybrid salvias means they need slightly more space than compact microphylla varieties. Against a south or west-facing wall is ideal, particularly in colder UK gardens.
❄ Overwintering
All Australian-bred salvias UK should be treated as tender. Take semi-ripe cuttings in August or move pot-grown plants under cover before first frost. In very sheltered southern gardens a generous mulch sometimes works but is not reliable. See our overwintering guide and cuttings guide.
📅 Season
Late spring to first frosts — most Australian hybrid salvias flower from May or June and continue until November in mild autumns. The long season is one of their most valuable characteristics and makes them excellent for sustained colour and pollinator value.
🌿 Pollinators
Excellent for pollinators throughout their long season. Wendy’s Wish in particular is outstanding for bumblebees. See our salvias for pollinators guide.
Salvia 'Wendy's Wish' UK and other Australian hybrid salvias are available from Middleton Nurseries. Browse our full range at our Staffordshire nursery — dispatched nationwide using peat-free compost.
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