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When to prune Hot Lips

Jennifer80Jennifer80 Posts: 39
in Plants
my Hot Lips plants were wonderful last year but now look dead! Should I prune them back now?

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I think it's still a bit cold as yet.  For that type of shrubby salvia, I wait until they're starting to sprout new leaves and then cut them back by about two thirds.

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    As Dove says, leave them for now. I don't prune mine until at least early April (I'm in the South West). I know it's tempting as they look so tatty, but wait until they (hopefully) start to produce new growth.
  • micearguersmicearguers Posts: 646
    Mine was extremely leggy, and I had already removed a lot of growth even before the recent frost. Clearly I've not chosen the optimal time, but I'm quite hopeful it won't matter, in the spirit of pruning when the secateurs are sharp.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I pruned mine into little bits and chucked it onto the compost heap. 
    I honestly did try to find it a new home but couldn't find anyone to take it. 
    My S. Amistad took a battering with the cold, even though it's in the hot tunnel. I'm not sure if my cuttings will revive, but Mum is perking up again.
    Devon.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited March 2018
    Hot Lips isn't my favourite either Hosta, I find the two colours distracting from the shape of the flower ........ Hot Lips seems to be ubiquitous in the garden centres but there are lots of other shrubby salvias that are absolutely gorgeous and pretty hardy too https://www.ashwoodnurseries.com/shop/salvia-greggii-blue-note.html 
    We have several ..... and cuttings strike so easily :smile:


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Dovefromabove said:
    Hot Lips isn't my favourite either Hosta, I find the two colours distracting from the shape of the flower ........ Hot Lips seems to be ubiquitous in the garden centres but there are lots of other shrubby salvias that are absolutely gorgeous and pretty hardy too 

    I agree, one of the most commented upon plants I've ever had in a garden was salvia guanajuato.
    Devon.
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