Forum home› Plants
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

salvia amistad

Aurum66Aurum66 Posts: 65
in Plants
I've had three Salvia Amistad  planted for 2 1/2 years in clay soil in a sheltered area which doesn't really get any sun until summer is really here and even then for only half of the day. The last couple of years it hasn't even produced a shoot until late summer, but then flowered well into winter. This winter was so mild that it didn't really die back so I just cut the flagging tops off to see what it would do. It's been leafing up for a few weeks and now has some flower shoots starting! I'm a bit torn about whether to cut them back anyway?

Posts

  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    edited April 2020
    There are no definite rule on when you cut back or even how far. It depends on the shape/height you want it to be, and whether your garden is warm enough for you to cut back. Maybe post a photo here so others will give you their opinion. 

    My opinion is if it’s grown in a semi shaded spot, leaves will be more preserved and the growth & flowering will be slower, therefore may not need heavy pruning back right now. 
  • Aurum66Aurum66 Posts: 65
    Aha! I like your logic there. Here are some pics of the salvia. One has 3 stems and another has 5
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    edited April 2020
    You could let it just grow, but I would cut it down by at least half, so the branches from lower down on the plant take over. I think this would make a better shape to it.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • Aurum66Aurum66 Posts: 65
    thank you WillDB I will give them a judicious chop! more stems more flowers I'm thinking and it is such a beautiful colour. Right by our back door. It will be interesting to see if it flowers for as long this year after starting to grow so early
  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    I agree with @WillDB 's suggestion. Also, when my 3 specimens of S. amistad start growing (usually in May) I keep pinching the extremities to ensure a better shape.
Sign In or Register to comment.