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Salvia amistad

Ryan180680Ryan180680 Posts: 202
in Plants
Should I cut these back or leave to protect new growth over winter. I've read mixed advice online

Posts

  • dave125dave125 Posts: 178
    I cut mine to the ground last winter and the beast from the east totally killed them. I haven't replanted this year but if I had I personally would have not cut them back this time until Spring - just the dead bits obv
    Luv Dave
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    much depends on your location and how mature the plant is.
     In a mild southerly garden, you might get away with them untouched. If it's very tall, I'd cut the top growth back to about a foot otherwise the wind can rock them about , which does them no good. 
    If it's a first year plant, or your somewhere very wet as we are in Devon, I'd consider lifting it and giving it the protection of a cold greenhouse if you have one. 
    So much depends on the options open to you and your own garden.
    Devon.
  • NanniemoNanniemo Posts: 226
    I left 3 in the ground last winter and although protected I lost one, so I’ve lifted the 2 remaining ones this year.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    another factor is your soil: they're more likely to survive in free draining , sandy soil, but less so in heavy , soggy clay.
    Devon.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I cut mine back to 6" (so I can still see the dead stems in spring and not dig them up by mistake) and cover with 3-4" mulch. They're in well-drained soil and survived temps of -7c last winter. I've had them 5-6 years.
    I always take a few cuttings late summer and over winter in a cold frame  - just in case.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
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