Autumn stars – salvias
LAST FLUSH: PERENNIALS CAN BE THE BACKBONE OF A FLOWER-FILLED LATE-SEASON GARDEN
Autumn starts officially on Monday, and although that means winter is on its way, gardeners know in autumn, the garden can be at its best.
As the days get cooler, plants are less heat stressed. Flowers are often bigger, brighter and last longer.
Instead of retreating from the heat, the balmy days and evenings make it more enjoyable to be in the garden.
Most perennials are at their peak in autumn and among these are tough-as-nails perennial salvias.
They should have sailed through summer and if you thought they couldn’t get any better, they can.
Perennial salvias can be the backbone of a flower-filled autumn garden, along with purple-flowering Plectranthus “Mona Lavender”, Physostegia (Obedient plant), Argyranthemum (Marguerite daisies), Shasta daisies, and Echinacea hybrids like “Cheyenne Spirit” and “Pow Wow”.
Unlike compact bedding salvia, the perennials are mostly large, bushy shrub-like plants that send up a mass of flower spikes, that attract bees and butterflies.
They fill large spaces and should be given plenty of space to grow and show off without looking cramped. They perform better with good air circulation.
Salvia care
The perennials are an easy choice because they grow in ordinary garden soil.
But there are two non-negotiables – full sun and soil that drains well.
In heavier garden soils its best to raise the level of the bed to improve drainage. They can be grown in large containers.
Before planting, dig over the soil to aerate it and add compost.
Water plants regularly while they are settling in. Once established, watering can be reduced.
Fertilise once in spring, summer and autumn with Vigorosa 5:1:5 fertiliser.
Deadheading is important to encourage repeat blooming.
Salvia types
Salvia “Mystic Spires” has been
a long -time garden favourite, with long spikes of true-blue flowers.
It has been improved to keep its growth more compact and shouldn’t get much higher than 60cm.
It is drought tolerant, withstands neglect but will also willingly grow back after being tidied up.
Space plants about 25cm apart and water regularly.
Salvia “Purple and Bloom” is a variation of the strong growing, “Black and Bloom”.
Both are striking landscape salvia with large purple or dark blue flowers on dark stems that produce a more pronounced black/blue/purple effect.
They grow 1.2m high and wide, and are able to handle heat, humidity and drought.
Deadheading is not necessary although pinching off spent blooms produces a bushier plant.
Plants flower until the first frost and come back into flower in spring.
Salvia “Roman Red” is the only vibrant red interspecific salvia. It is 85cm tall.
The Salvia “Salmia” range delivers an impressive performance with endless spikes of large dark purple, pink or orange red blooms from spring onwards.
Plants need moderate watering and are a good filler for sunny beds or as a feature in a large
container. For strong growth, cut back in spring, fertilise and water well.
Salvia “Mysty” is the most compact as well as one of the most heat and drought tolerant of the salvias.