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Soil for Salvias
Jason Sparkes
Posts: 68
So, I'm making a raised bed in the centre of my soon-not-to-be lawn, and i have a collection of 12 different Salvia coming to put in it, the soil here is mostly clay, but as I'm raising it up, it could be improved, what do them best?
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Posts
Dig in some rich, homemade compost if you have some Jason. That will help to aerate the soil especially if its heavy clay.
Salvias vary in their soil preference but the one no-no is wet. I have salvia verticillata which likes dry conditions and plenty of sun
The varieties are; Peach parfait, Icing Sugar, Christine Yeo, Amistad, African Skies, Royal bumble, Cerro Potosi, Joy, Peter Vidgeon, Nachtvlinder, Blue Note, Hot Lips, I'm afraid thats all the info on them I have
The only ones that survived outside here in the East Midlands is hot lips. I had the same collection two years ago. The plugs you receive will need potting on and growing a bit before you plant them out. Amistad will get big, so put it as the central focal point. All the others will be 30 to 40 cm high. Any you like, take cuttings and overwinter in a frost free greenhouse. Amistad survived the winter, but took a long time to get going the second year, flowering much later than overwintered cuttings.
Thank you both for the advice, not sure exactly what is being supplied, They are just listed as young plants. I'm in no hurry, they can spend the summer growing up!! And hope for mild Yorkshire winter!!