Yes, Vista Red Salvia is a perennial. It is an ornamental perennial shade loving salvia with green foliage and clusters of red flowers that bloom year-round, providing color and drama even during the winter months.
In frost-free regions, Vista Red Salvia develops a spreading habit, while in colder areas, it will remain as a compact shrub. It grows best in moist, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Vista Red Salvia is great for borders, containers, ground cover and cut flowers.
It also attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, and is deer-resistant.
Do red salvias come back every year?
Yes, red salvias are perennials and will come back every year. These plants are fairly hardy and can tolerate a variety of climatic conditions such as light frost, so they are well-suited for many gardens.
However, they will need to be trimmed back in the springtime as they can grow several feet tall. For best results, red salvias should be planted in well-drained soil, preferably amended with compost at the time of planting.
They should receive at least 6 hours of sun each day, and they should be watered regularly to prevent wilting. Deadhead the flowers after they have wilted to promote new bloom. With proper care, red salvias will return every year with a beautiful display of vibrant red blooms.
Which salvia plants are perennials?
Perennial salvias are part of the Salvia family and can be found in many different varieties. Most perennial salvias are both ornamental and edible and prefer warmer climates. Some popular and commonly grown perennial salvias include Salvia officinalis, Salvia farinacea, Salvia pratensis, Salvia nemorosa, Salvia divinorum, Salvia clevelandii, and Salvia sclarea.
Salvia officinalis, also known as sage, is one of the most popular perennial Salvias and is native to the Mediterranean and Northern Africa. It grows to a height of around 2-3 feet and can be most easily identified by its grey-green foliage and white color flower spikes during in the summer.
Salvia farinacea, also known as mealycup sage, is a hardy perennial Salvias native to the southern United States and Mexico. It grows to a height of 2-3 feet with long spikes of blue or purple flowers and long, oval leaves.
It is hardy in most climates and can handle cold temperatures down to 0°F.
Salvia pratensis, also known as meadow clary or clary sage, is native to Europe and grows to 4 feet tall with pinkish-purple flowers and a woody stem. It is easy to grow and can handle temperatures lower than 0°F.
Salvia nemorosa, also known as woodland sage, is native to Europe and grows to a height of 24-36 inches. It has a variety of leaf shapes, including ones that are heart-shaped or lance-shaped. It has showy blue flowers during the summer and can handle temperatures as low as 20°F.
Salvia divinorum is a rare, semi-evergreen perennial native to Mexico and grows to a height of 3-5 feet tall. It can be identified by its long, narrow leaves, bright blue flowers, and minty scent. It can handle temperatures down to 20°F and needs to be grown in an area with partial shade for best results.
Salvia clevelandii, also known as Cleveland’s sage, is native to California and grows to a height of 3-4 feet. It can be identified by its distinctive blue or white flowers, long stems, and broad, fuzzy leaves.
It can handle temperatures down to 0°F and prefers well-drained soil.
Salvia sclarea, also known as clary sage, is native to Europe and can be identified by its large, scented leaves and pinkish-purple, white, or yellow flowers. It grows to a height of 4-5 feet and can handle temperatures down to 0°F.
These are just a few of the many different types of perennial Salvias available. With their ability to handle colder temperatures and their wide selection of colors and sizes, perennial salvias make a great addition to the garden for anyone looking for something unique and long lasting in their landscape.
How many years do salvias last?
Salvias typically last 3-5 years. A variety of factors can affect how long a salvia will last, including weather, location, and care. Salvias grown in favorable conditions with regular watering, fertilizing, and deadheading will last longer than those in harsher climates with less TLC.
In optimal conditions, some salvias can last up to 10 years with proper care. If you’re looking for a salvia to last longer, there are some long-blooming perennials that you can consider, such as campanula or lavender.
Can you leave salvias in ground over winter?
Yes, it is possible to leave salvias in the ground over the winter. Salvias are generally quite hardy and can tolerate cold temperatures. When growing salvias in cold climates where temperatures drop below freezing, it is important to select hardy varieties.
Salvias should be mulched to a depth of at least 4 inches to help insulate their root systems from fluctuating temperatures. Be sure to remove the mulch in the spring to allow for adequate air and sunlight circulation.
Pruning salvias back in the late fall to just above the soil line will also help protect them from severe winter weather. Salvias typically need to be cut back more severely in climates with below freezing temperatures.
In zones 8 and higher, salvias may not need to be pruned back at all, as they may remain evergreen.
What should I do with my salvias over winter?
Salvias are generally very hardy and can survive the winter in most parts of the world if they are well looked after. The best way to look after your salvias over winter is to make sure they are given adequate protection.
This typically involves mulching or covering the plants with an insulating material such as leaves, hay, or straw. This will help to keep the soil temperature regulated and prevent excessive frost damage.
In addition, it is important to water your salvias early in the winter to ensure that their roots and foliage stay healthy. During winter months it is best to reduce the amount of fertilizer used on salvias, as this can damage the roots during cold weather.
Finally, you may want to prune your salvias in the early winter months, as this will encourage new growth in the spring. Following these steps should help ensure your salvias survive the winter months and remain healthy.
Which salvias are most hardy?
Salvias are a very diverse group of plants, with many varieties that range from hardy to quite tender. Generally speaking, the most hardy salvias are those in the genus Salvia pratensis, which includes plant species like meadow sage and wild clary that are vigorous and adaptable to a range of climates.
These salvias are often referred to as “short-lived perennials,” because they will usually die off in cold temperatures and need to be replanted each season. Other hardy salvias include species in the genus Salvia argentea (silver sage) and Salvia divinorum (diviner’s sage), both of which are quite hardy and will tolerate a broad range of temperatures and soil conditions.
In addition, many cultivars of these salvia species are also hardy and will survive through the winter and into the spring with proper care. Finally, although not all salvias are hardy, many species of salvia such as Salvia officinalis (common sage) and Salvia lavandulifolia (lavender-leafed sage) are quite hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as -5°F (-20°C).
All of these salvias can only be reliably hardy if they’re planted in an area that is well-drained and provides them with protection from strong winds.
Can salvias survive frost?
Yes, salvias can survive frost! In general, salvias are quite cold-hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-4 to -1 Celsius). However, just like any other plant, they are subject to damage once the frost sets in, so it is best to take preventative action to ensure their survival.
The best way to protect your salvias from frost is to place them in a sheltered position, away from the prevailing wind and direct sunlight. Also, it is a good idea to mulch around the base of the plants to insulate the roots.
This helps to retain heat, which can protect the plants from the colder temperatures.
In addition, you can try to cover the plants with a material such as a frost cloth, burlap, or blankets. This will serve to trap in the warmth and keep the plants from becoming too cold.
Finally, if you anticipate a heavy frost, you may want to take the extra step of bringing the plants indoors. This won’t be necessary for the majority of frost events, but it is a good idea to be prepared just in case.
With proper care, salvias can withstand moderate frosts and remain undamaged when optimal precautions are taken.
Should salvias be cut back in the fall?
Fall is the ideal time to cut back salvias. Pruning salvias in the fall helps encourage new growth, encourages more flowers, and helps keep the plant healthy. Salvias that are overgrown, particularly if they are in a spot where they can receive good air circulation, should be cut back to a height of 6-12 inches above the soil line to promote new growth.
If the plant has gotten leggy due to lack of sun, rejuvenation pruning can also help. This technique involves cutting the entire plant back by about one-third to one-half of its full height and also removing 2-3 of the oldest, largest stems in the center of the plant.
Doing this in the fall encourages even more dense branching, which will result in fuller plants and higher yields of flowers the following summer. Make sure to prune the salvias using clean, sharp shears so you don’t damage the plant.
Should you deadhead red salvias?
Yes, you should deadhead red salvias. Deadheading is the process of removing spent or faded flower heads from plants. It is important to do this to encourage new growth, discourage seeding, and maintain plant health.
Red salvias, like many other flowering plants, benefit from regular deadheading. This helps keep the plants looking neat, preserves their vigor, and encourages them to produce new flowers since they will not be expending energy producing seeds.
It is a good idea to wear gardening gloves while deadheading as salvias can have sharp stems and leaves. To deadhead, simply grasp the spent blooms in your hand and snap them off, or use pruning scissors.
All spent flowers and their associated foliage should be completely removed from the plant. Make sure not to remove any healthy buds or stems which will produce more flowers. Deadheading should be done regularly throughout the growing season to ensure that new flowers are produced.
Should I cut back perennial salvias?
When it comes to cutting back perennial salvia, it really depends on the type. If you are growing a more delicate variety such as a tender perennial that may require more frequent pruning for better results.
However, if you’re growing a hardy variety such as a Mexican sage or Meadow sage, then there’s no need to cut it back. These types are much hardier and don’t need to be pruned as frequently. You may choose to deadhead them (remove the spent blooms) to keep the plants looking neat and tidy, but this is optional.
If you want to encourage healthy growth, then you can prune it back lightly after flowering to promote new shoots. It is also a good idea to remove any dead or damaged foliage regularly so that the plant looks its best.
Ultimately, deciding whether or not to prune your salvia is up to personal preference and what works best for the type of salvia you have.
What is the longest blooming perennial salvia?
Salvia x sylvestris, or meadow clary, is the longest blooming perennial salvia. It is native to Europe and North Africa and is also known as wood sage, wild clary, and field clary. It is a hardy perennial with a long flowering period, often blooming from early June until late October in its native region.
The blue-violet flowers bloom in whorls, supported on tall branching stems that can grow to three feet or more. It tolerates a variety of soils, and prefers full sun. With care and plenty of water, it can make a dramatic addition to the garden.
What do perennial salvias look like?
Perennial salvias are shrubby, bushy perennial plants that have a wide range of attractive flower colors and attractive foliage. Some common varieties include Pineapple Sage, Mealycup Sage, and Scarlet Sage.
Generally, these plants will reach heights of up to 3 feet, however, some exist that may grow as tall as 5 feet tall. The flowers of a perennial salvia are usually grouped in inflorescences at the top of the stem, and variously colored from white, to pink, to purple black! The foliage is often a vivid green and will remain on the plant for much of the year.
These flowers are an excellent source of nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds and a favorite food for some species of bees. Depending on the species and cultivar, agressively cutting back remains branches after flowering will often result in additinal flower production throughout the season.
What do you do with salvias when they have finished flowering?
When salvias have finished flowering, it is important to keep them well maintained in order to ensure they will continue to provide you with healthy blooms year after year. To do this, you should remove spent blooms to prevent the plant from expending energy on seeds and to encourage the production of more flowers.
Additionally, it is important to regularly prune the plant by removing dead and diseased stems and trimming back overgrown branches. If the salvia is a woody plant, it can also benefit from a yearly pruning in late winter or early spring.
This will help to promote vigorous growth and keep it looking neat and tidy. Finally, it is important to keep the soil moist and make sure the plant is receiving adequate light and nutrients. With proper care and maintenance, your salvias will continue to bloom for years to come.
Do you cut down salvias for winter?
No, salvia plants don’t need to be cut back for winter. They are mostly evergreen, resistant to cold temperatures, and can even tolerate temperatures as low as 0°F, so they don’t require any additional protection or preparation for winter.
If your area gets a lot of snow and cooler winter temperatures, however, you may want to mulch them with a light layer of straw or wood chips to help protect the soil and plant roots. When spring arrives, you can trim away any dead or damaged stems, or give the plants a light trimming to help keep them looking neat and tidy.