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How to prune a shrubby Salvia?
Hi guys,
I purchased Salvia microphylla 'Cerro Potosi' last year which I think is a shrubby Salvia but I have read conflicting information on the internet about how to prune them.
Some say to give it a light trim in spring but others say to cut it back hard to the ground to the lowest pair of shoots?
Can anyone tell me which method is correct?
Thanks 
Last edited: 06 February 2018 12:00:36
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I had S. 'Amistad" a few years ago which seemed to be herbaceous ie. it died back over Winter then grew again from the base (we get mild Winters so it didn't need lifting), definitely not an evergreen salvia. Cerro Potosi, as far as I know, is a different type in that it's a shrubby evergreen. It will never get over a metre so no need to trim to reduce the height. And it shouldn't die back like my Amistad. For this reason I'd lightly trim it all over in late Spring (after the frosts) and just as the new shoots are breaking. This should keep it bushy and neat.
I agree, but would not do it until mid / late March.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
I've got a couple of Salvia greggi's which are quite a few years old now and rather straggly. I usually prune them lightly but this year think I'll be a bit bolder and cut them back a bit harder, though not to the ground. Hope it works as they are quite spectacular in the summer.
I've just googled Salvia microphylla 'Cerro Potosi'.
If Lyn is looking in, is this the one you gave me?
Thanks for the advice everyone.
I'm really looking forward to seeing it flower in the summer! I bought it in the autumn so it was getting to the end of its flowering and it looked a bit sorry for itself and it looked like it had outgrown its pot. I did manage to get it very very cheap though but the flowers it did have left on it were beautiful!
I also purchased a dysons Maroon Salvia which is apparently is smaller and there was also Salvia Krystle Pink. I've never grown these Microphylla types so I'm very excited to see what they turn out like!