Sensational Plants Beginning With The Letter S

• Salix - Willow - This family consists of around three hundred species. They are deciduous trees, shrubs, and dwarf shrubs. The Willow generally thrives in cooler climates. Salix is native to most of the northern hemisphere including Europe, northern Africa, northern and central Asia, and can grow in zones two through ten in the United States. As a child growing up in upstate New York, I remember the large Willow trees in the backyard. The branches and limbs were big with thin leaves. I also remember the branches and leaves seemed to dance with the wind. The Willow prefers a moist soil with partial shade conditions. Their height varies with the different species in this family, but some will mature up to eighty feet tall. Others will max out around fifteen feet. As a landscaper in zone seven, the weeping Willow is very popular, and looks sensational with other evergreen trees.









• Salvia - Sage - This family consists of nearly nine hundred members, and Sage is also the largest member of the sensational mint family. Salvia are either annual or perennial woody herbs. It is native to many countries including Greece, South Africa, Central America, tropical Mexico, and will grow in zones five through ten in the United States. Sage does well if planted in full sun and in an environment of light frosts. Salvia loves a moist and well drained soil and will do well if watered regularly during the warmer months. This is a great herb to grow from seeds, plant in a ground garden and also a container garden. Sage can be grown indoors year around and provides a wonderful flavor in many culinary dishes.
• Sambucus - Elderberry - This genus consists of around twenty five members and is native to North America, Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia. The Elderberry is a sensational deciduous shrub and small tree in zones two through ten in the United States. Sambucus is a fairly easy specimen to grow and can take sun or shade, as long as it has a moist and well drained soil. In late spring and early summer clusters of small white flowers emerge. Some of the varieties have edible flowers and berries. A great plant to put as an accent around evergreen shrubs and trees. I enjoy designing the Elderberry around some Arborvitaes, or Cypress specimens.



• Santolina - Cotton Lavender - There are about eighteen species that make up this family. The Cotton Lavender is an evergreen shrub that is mainly native in the Mediterranean region. The species will grow in zones seven through ten in the United States. Santolina requires full sun and well drained soil. This is a low growing evergreen herb, and a sensational fragrant shrub for an herb garden. Cotton Lavender is low spreading and mature to around two feet tall and can spread three feet wide. Planting Santolina in front of Rosemary creates a wonderful look in any landscape.
• Schefflera - Wet tropical and subtropical regions are home to around seven hundred of the Scefflera family. They are shrubs and small trees that are native to Taiwan, Australia and New Guinea. The Scefflera specie will grow in zones ten through twelve in the United States. This is a group of small trees and shrubs that thrive in rain forests. Many times you can see them growing off other plants and rocks. They can mature up to forty feet, but many of the specimens grow to around fifteen feet. The flowers can be yellow or a rich red tones. The nectar in the flowers attract birds, especially humming birds. Scefflera can take sun to partial shade but needs shelter from the wind. It loves well drained soil. In colder geographic locations, the Scefflera make a sensational indoor plant year around.
• Schinus - Pepper tree - Thirty species make up this evergreen shrubs and trees that are native to Central and South America. The Pepper tree loves full sun and well drain soil, and can mature up to fifty feet tall. Tiny clusters of white to cream flowers blossom, followed by berries in the female plant. This specimen is great as a shade tree and should be pruned back. In some locations, this species can get out of control and Hawaii is one of the location that has this problem.
• Senna - Cassia - This is a large family consisting of around two hundred and fifty species. They are native to both Americas, Australia, and Africa. The Cassia will grow in zones nine through twelve in the United States. In the summertime, clusters of rich yellow cup shaped flowers appear and will blossom until winter. They should be pruned after bloom time. The Cassia loves full sun but needs protection against strong winds. These species are considered evergreen and perennials. The Silver Cassia from Australia will bloom throughout the winter until summer. A great accent plant for gardens and landscapes.
• Sequoia - California Redwood - One of the most sensational trees to see, this evergreen conifer is noted as the biggest tree in the world. There is only one specie in this genus, and the largest tree stands erect at three hundred and sixty feet tall. The Redwood is a sensational specimen in California and Oregon. National Parks with hundreds of Sequoias can be seen out on the west coast of the United States. These trees can be cold hardy and will thrive in full sun or partial shade. The Redwood is a fast grower and once matured, and it's timber is valuable. Many organizations have been working hard to preserve this unique specimen. I have seen the Sequoias out in California, and these trees are truly remarkable!

The eight families above are only a small portion of the trees, shrubs, and herbs that begin with the letter S. Feel free to check out many other specimens in the list of plants section as well as the gallery of plants, variety of more plants, and the tropics section.