What’s a cultivar?

Salvias are one of my favorite plants. I grow about 15 different kinds in my garden. Some are true species like Salvia sonomensis, Salvia elegans and Salvia apiana. Others are cultivars like Salvia mexicana ‘Limelight’ and Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue.’

Do you know the difference between a true species and a cultivar? According to the Missouri Botanical Garden, in plant science, a cultivar is a “cultivated variety” or a plant that has been bred asexually, often through human intervention. It’s distinguished by specific characteristics and is named in single quotes after the species name.

A true or straight species grows naturally in the wild and reproduces the same each time. A cultivar is usually grown by horticulturalists for a particular trait, such as size, color or pest resistance. It can only be reproduced asexually.

Some cultivars may be reproduced by the hybridization of two separate species.

— katie martin, UC Marin Master Gardeners