Salvia's come in annual and perennial form. I absolutley love them!They are free of insect issues, I have never had any disease issues with them either. Above is Salvia Cardonna. A red-purply-blue color. This salvia has skinny flower stems and the plant gets 24-30" tall.
Above is Rose Queen Salvia, on of the early summer bloomers. After the main flush of blooms, cutting back the spent flower stems will encourage re-flowering on all perennial salvias. Rose Queen gets 20-24" tall and all salvias want to be located in full sun. Whenever a plant calls for a full sun location, it means at least 6 hours per day between 9-5 pm. A couple of morning hours and again in late afternoon is not enough for a 'full sun' plant, the sun intensity is very different midday.
A new one for me this year: above is Salvia transylvanica 'Blue Spires,' aka Romanian Sage. It gets to be 30" tall and blooms mid-summer. Like all of the perennial salvias, once established, it is drought tolerant. I have started these from seed this year, and they are looking great. Likely won't have these for sale till later in the summer. Can't wait to use this beauty in my 'armload' bouquets!
Salvia 'Plumosa,' meaning plume (of course) This salvia has a fatter flower head than most salvias. It is shorter than the others at 18" tall, blooming in early summer. Beside Blue Spires, Earthworks will have the other 3 shown here available when we open May 1st.
What are the wonderful characteristics about salvia? Let me count the ways:
- pest & disease free
- once established, drought tolerant (they won't need you!)
- long bloom period
- great for cut flowers
- great for dried florals
- deer & rabbits don't like them
- they attract butterflies & hummingbirds
- they stay put and do not cast seed or roots about the garden
- plant in drifts or bands for best effect
- what more can they do to be the perfect plant for your garden?
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Should I cut salvias right back in Autumn?
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