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"Annual" salvia is a tender tropical perennial that is typcally grown as a warm weather annual bedding plant. It has long been a garden standard, reliably blooming over an extended period. Ever more varieties are being developed, giving a wide range of colors, including white, salmon and purple, as well as the traditional bright red, and heights from about 8 in (20 cm) to nearly 3 ft (0.9 m). Leaves are bright to dark green, elliptical and toothed. Flowers grow on spikes and are two-lipped, with a flat lower lip and helmet-shaped upper lip.
Location
Plant in average or enriched soil and fertilize as needed. Over a long season, flowers will drop, leaving a ragged spike. When this happens, cut the plant back. New growth emerges refreshed. Snails and slugs find salvia to be a delicious treat, especially in moist conditions and when the plants are mulched. Light: In cooler climates, plant in full sun. In areas with very hot summers, partial shade, especially in the afternoon, reduces stress. Moisture: Average to slightly dry, well drained soil. Larger varieties with deeper roots need less water than dwarf varieties. Hardiness: Summer annual. Might survive light freezes. Propagation: Seed. May be planted directly into finely textured, warm soil, or started in seed trays for setting out after danger of frost.
Annual salvia is a good vertical accent in a container. A medium to tall variety can be surrounded by other annuals. Envision a burgundy salvia surrounded by blue and lavender shades of impatiens (Impatiens wallerana), with a little white alyssum (Lobularia maritima) or nierembergia (Nierembergia spp.). Or for hot color, a bright red with marigolds (Tagetes spp.)! In a bed, salvias are great massed. Because of the uniformity of bedding plant varieties, they can also be used very successfully in a border.
Features hc 01/28/99, updated: js 07/02/99, sc 11/27/99, 12/6/99, 05/20/03, 9/11/03
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