Firestyle Magazine Issue 7 - Spring 2017 | Page 19

How to grow salvias
Salvias are fascinating plants
which offer such a variation of
flower colour, shape and foliage.
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 when many
other plants are looking tired after a
long summer.
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.
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. It is recommended
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. 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.
Salvias have few d