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- How to grow salvias
How to grow salvias
Salvias are a fascinating genus of plants, indispensible in the Summer and Autumn display. They are prolific in flower and their colour range is outstanding; intense blues, vibrant scarlets, soft yellows, apricots, pinks and even the occasional black (surprisingly there are only a few salvias with white flowers). All have nectar-rich flowers that are loved by bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects and these come into their own in mid-summer, continuing their colourful display throughout autumn until the first frosts. Most have attractive aromatic foliage.
They are so versatile and work well in a variety of situations. They are excellent subjects for a sunny mixed border, mixing happily with shrubs and English roses, or they can be used in a traditional herbaceous border where the taller salvias are invaluable. Salvias are equally at home in a summer bedding scheme with half hardy annuals, or used in summer patio pots. For the more adventurous gardener, try them in a sub-tropical border where you will find that they are perfect companions for exotic subjects such as cannas, bananas and ginger lilies.
Here at Ashwood we specialise in the New World salvias, ranging from hardier microphylla, x jamensis, involucrata and patens varieties, through the half-hardy greggii varieties that are smaller-growing in habit and with highly aromatic foliage, to the exotic flowering tender varieties.
Many of these New World salvias are reasonably hardy if planted in a sheltered position that gets plenty of sunshine. The soil should not be over rich, and winter drainage must be good. The tender salvias, for example S. confertiflora, S. fulgens and S. leucantha, tend to flower earlier with the addition of a little general fertiliser or compost.
The best time to plant out salvias is from late May to early June, or as soon as possible after the risk of late spring frosts has passed. This gives plants the maximum time to establish and get their roots down before winter. We recommend that salvias are trimmed back before planting to encourage sturdy growth. If you purchase your plants late in the season, they are best kept frost free and planted out the following spring.
Salvias have few demands, but some are brittle and require support when planted out in an open or windy position. The frequent removal of old flower heads will promote many more new flowers.
It is advisable to take a few cuttings in late summer as insurance against any losses during a severe winter. If required the tender salvias can be lifted, potted and grown on under protection in a greenhouse or conservatory. Established plants that have survived the winter should not be trimmed back and tidied until late spring, when the new growth has started and the risk of frosts has passed.
Footnote: A special thank you to photographer Jonathan Buckley for his beautiful portrait images of salvias used in this article.
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