Height:

12.0-14.0 Inches

Spread:

14.0-16.0 Inches

Hardiness Zones:

3,4,5,6,7,8

Flower Color:

Blue shades

Foliage Color:

Green shades

Sunlight:

Full Sun (> 6 hrs. Direct Sun)

Water Requirements:

Low Water Needs Average Water Needs

Soil Quality:

Average Soil Quality Fertile Soil Quality

Soil Chemistry:

Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0) Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0) Alkaline Soil (pH > 7.0)

Bloomtime:

Early Summer

Attracts Wings:

Attracts Butterflies Attracts Hummingbirds Bee Friendly

Critter Resistant:

Deer Resistant Rabbit Resistant

Seasonal Interest:

Dried Seed Heads

Growth Rate:

Medium

Garden Style:

Patio Container Cottage Eclectic

Other Features:

Border Plant Container Cut Flower Cut Foliage Dried Flower Easy To Grow Fragrant Flowers Fragrant Foliage Mass Planting Salt Tolerant Small

Origin:

Not Native to North America

Salvia is easy to grow in almost any climate. Though it is drought tolerant, it will bloom better with regular watering. Deadheading encourages a longer bloom time. If plants get leggy during the season, cut them all the way back to the newly developed foliage. If cut back, plants may rebloom in fall but often the flowers are fewer and smaller.

Growing Temperature:

55-65° F

Holding Temperature:

45-50° F

Soil PH:

5.8-6.2

EC (What is EC?):

2.0-3.0 pour through method

Fertility:

Salvias are light to moderate feeders, requiring only modest amounts of fertilizer. Apply a constant liquid fertilizer at 100-125 ppm nitrogen at each watering.

For Controlled Release or Slow Release Fertilizer, see your preferred supplier for recommended rates for incorporation or top dressing, as it varies by fertilizer.

Vernalization:

Not required to flower but is beneficial. If planting plugs in summer provide 8-10 weeks of cold after bulking.

Pests & Diseases:

The primary pests seen are aphids, thrips, spider mites, whiteflies and leaf hoppers. Other pests to look out for include scale, beetles, snails and slugs, stalk borers, plant bugs, caterpillers, nematodes, Greenhouse Leaftier moth (Oeobia), greenhouse orthezia (Orthezia).

Potential diseases include crown and root rots, bacterial blights (Pseudomonas), leaf spots, Botrytis blight, damping-off, powdery mildew (Erysiphe), downy mildew (Peronospora), Verticillium wilt, stem rot (Sphaeropsis), Sclerotium rot, rusts and viruses.

Potting & Timing:

Roots can be trimmed to fit container.

Moisture:

For potting soil use commercial planting media.
Water plants thoroughly and let plants dry out between waterings. Salvia require average amounts of irrigation, overwatering can lead to root and crown rot.

Planting Level:

Plant crown even with soil level.

PGRs/Pinching:

It is beneficial to pinch plants from plugs to increase lateral branching. Provide a soft pinch one to two weeks after planting. For height control use Daminozide (B-Nine or Dazide) at 2500 ppm 2-3 times at weekly intervals, or Uniconazole (Sumagic) starting at 5 ppm.

Growth regulator rates are suggestions but may vary due to time of year, region and water quality. Trialing is always recommended before applying to an entire crop.

Lighting:

Salvias will flower faster and better under long days.

Download Large Benchcard

Download Small Benchcard