Salvia
by CMG Kathleen S.
Photo from Gardinia.net
Diversity is important in our garden designs and affects how pleased we are with our garden creations. Using a variety of shapes, sizes, different colored leaves and blooms can make a garden more interesting. The use of blue as a complimentary color is important in garden designs. Blue compliments orange and yellow blooms as well as white and pink blooms. Imagine masses of yellow black-eyed Susan or coreopsis flanked by masses of blue blossoms. It is a stunning sight. Blue is a “coveted color” for plant blossoms because of its rarity.
Salvia Farinacea, Mealy Cup Sage – photo by CMG Cheryl
Evolution – Photo from allamericanselections.com
Salvias are an excellent source for providing this blue compliment. They are also drought tolerant and relatively free of pests and diseases. Mealy Cup Sage, Salvia farinacea, delivers wonderful blue blooms and is a Texas native. Some common varieties are Victoria Blue and Evolution. Victoria Blue Salvia has true blue blooms, is hardy in zones 8-10, grows 1-2 feet wide to 1-3 feet tall and blooms continuously from May thru frost.
Mystic Spire – photo from texassuperstar.com
Mystic Spires, longispicata x farinacea, is another popular choice in this area. This selection produces masses of purple-blue flowers from late summer into fall. It is a semi evergreen perennial and hardy in zones 7 to 10 and grows 24 to 30 inches tall and wide. Hummingbirds, bees and butterflies love both Mealy Cup Sage and Mystic Spires.
Salvia Greggii – photo by CMG Cheryl
Salvias are not fussy. In fact, they are very easy to grow. They prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil but will grow in almost any soil as long as it is well drained. They need 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight but a few varieties will not do well in 100 degree and higher temperatures. The best location for the plants provides them shade during the heat of the day. Their leaves tend to have strong odors and help to repel deer and rabbits. Many types of salvias have a minty scent and are members of the mint family lamiaceae.
Propagation can be from seed outside after the danger of frost has passed. Loosen the soil to a depth of 12 inches. Mix in a 3-inch layer of compost to provide nutrients. Seeds do require light to germinate. Keep the seeds moist until they germinate in 15 to 21 days. If you want to start your seeds indoors then watch this YouTube video: Footprints in the Garden for tips. Salvias can also be propagated from cuttings or through layering.
Plant potted plants in a hole twice the size of the pot. Plant to a depth that is level with the surface, fill in with soil around the plant, water well and cover with 2 inches of mulch. Salvias can also be grown in containers – plan to fertilize once a year. You will need to water your plants whether in a garden or container if the weekly rainfall is less than 1 inch. If your plants are water insecure you will have fewer blooms. Be sure to remove dead blooms to encourage more flowers but at the end of the growing season leave dead blooms for propagation and wild bird food. Some varieties will develop woody stems which can be pruned out early to mid-spring. Salvias are available as annuals, perennials and shrubs with over 1000 plants in pink, crimson, white and yellow blooms. Their heights vary from 1.5 to 5 feet tall.
Scarlet sage – photo from Gardinia.net
Scarlet sage, Salvia splendens, is a native of Brazil. It’s a perennial in zones 10 to 11 and reseeds easily in cooler zones like Comal County. Blooms are brilliant scarlet red from late spring into fall. Height and width are 1-3 feet but will form clumps 1-1.5 feet in width. Watch for powdery mildew and Botrytis Blight. They usually occur in damp conditions; in gardens with poor air circulation and in unkempt gardens where leaves and other debris are not removed from the garden. Fungicides are available but it is advisable to test the fungicide on one or two leaves to ensure the fungicide is not too harsh. Aphids, thrips and whiteflies can also be an issue.
Clary sage, Salvia sclarea, is native to more temperate regions in Europe and the Mediterranean. It has a long history as a medicinal herb. The leaves and flowers are also used in teas. It is a bi-annual that grows to 3-4 feet tall. The bloom starts as a rosette the first year. The second year a stalk will form with bluish-purple-white flowers from spring to mid-summer. This plant is hardy to zone 5
The terms salvia and sage are often used interchangeably which can be confusing. The term salvia is typically used for ornamental plants while sage is typically used to describe culinary herbs. This differentiation is not guaranteed. Demonstrating that loose naming convention, is the ornamental Mexican Bush Sage, Salvia leucantha. The name sage is derived from Latin and means “have good taste”. Following the convention is sage, Salvia officinalis. That’s used on Thanksgiving turkeys and in dressings and called common sage or culinary sage or just plain sage.
Sources: masterclass.com; almanac.com; hgic.clemson.edu; gardenia.net; TheSpruce.com; extension.umn.edu; milbergersnursery.com