Salvia dolichantha

A lovely detailed photo ...

Thanks! It deserves a good photo.

Have you seen Salvia indica, looks like an orchid. I was wondering if it would be tender here.

As far as S.indica goes it should be hardy as long as you're not on Suffolk clay. Drainage is everything with most Salvia.

I'm in what is known as 'Rolling valley claylands' on one of the rare hills in Suffolk. We have a decent spade depth of loam I suppose due to cultivation.
I planted Salvia roemeriana Hot Trumpets on a free draining bank last year but it seems to have vanished disappointingly whereas Cosmos choca-mocka also half- hardy survived.

Salvia roemeriana needs a frost free winter. Best grown as an annual.

I wish the GC & retailers told you that instead of putting it in the perennial section.

If they did then you might not buy them! Dead easy from the seed which it produces plenty of.

Its very lovely...but it looks like a very angry customer...almost snake like with that protruding 'fang' ;)

It's my favourite properly hardy Salvia Karen.

Yes, I can see why. Gorgeous colour and very orchid-like.