Yes the world would be boring if we all liked the same things. Therefore I do like the bicolours, they provide a different look with the seasons and conditions.
Photos look great and I didn’t even know that white salvias existed or that they’re useful as a foil for other plants too.
I love S Caradonna for it's stems, there is a pink form too. Do you dead head it as each flower goes over? Will it flower all summer? I love S Mirage Cherry Red.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
I have posted this pic many times before, but here goes.
This hedge is a mix of Bumble on the left and Hot Lips on the right. I cut down to the lowest green growth each year to try and stop the hedge getting too woody.
@punkdoc this kind of thread always turns into a rant about plants people loathe - a different vibe entirely. As is, I'm finding this thread helpful, detailed and supportive.
I just poke a non flowering shoot into a pot of compost and leave it in a sheltered place. They usually root. Strip the bottom leaves off so that none are under the soil
@Fire I have seen your photos before, more than happy to see them again. Perfect way to show the wonders of Salvias. @andrewnewton Very easy from cutting, just a non flowering stem in a pot. You will more than likely get them all to strike.
I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
Can I ask please any tips for taking cuttings please e.g. best time, do they need covering with a plastic bag etc
With regard to the Shrubby types, l start taking them around the end of July/beginning of August. I mix vermiculite in with compost to open it up a bit and I also use rooting powder although that isn't strictly necessary. I don't use a plastic bag as they can be very susceptible to mould and rot, l find at this time of year they just need a coldframe or greenhouse, or even a windowsill will do.
The trickiest thing once they've rooted is getting them through the winter. l keep mine in a coldframe right up against the house wall, and in extremely cold spells l will put some fleece over them.
I keep a very close eye on them and if any show signs of going mouldy, out they come and are thrown away. The leaves can also turn yellow and drop off so l make sure any are cleared away ASAP. As soon as we get a mild spell in early to mid March (hopefully), l tip out each pot and pot up each rooted cutting separately into a small pot, then back they go into the coldframe. By the end of May they will have been potted on at least twice more and are ready to plant out.
You could pot them up separately before Winter if they have enough roots and you have the space. Just make sure they have plenty of air circulation and keep them on the very dry side. Water from below. Here endeth the lesson
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Strip the bottom leaves off so that none are under the soil
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
@andrewnewton Very easy from cutting, just a non flowering stem in a pot. You will more than likely get them all to strike.
The only one I hate is hot lips.
I don't use a plastic bag as they can be very susceptible to mould and rot, l find at this time of year they just need a coldframe or greenhouse, or even a windowsill will do.
The trickiest thing once they've rooted is getting them through the winter. l keep mine in a coldframe right up against the house wall, and in extremely cold spells l will put some fleece over them.
I keep a very close eye on them and if any show signs of going mouldy, out they come and are thrown away. The leaves can also turn yellow and drop off so l make sure any are cleared away ASAP.
As soon as we get a mild spell in early to mid March (hopefully), l tip out each pot and pot up each rooted cutting separately into a small pot, then back they go into the coldframe.
By the end of May they will have been potted on at least twice more and are ready to plant out.
You could pot them up separately before Winter if they have enough roots and you have the space. Just make sure they have plenty of air circulation and keep them on the very dry side. Water from below.
Here endeth the lesson