Beautiful Salvias
I have wonderful memories of salvias growing in my grandmother’s flower garden. Each spring she would plant salvias with bright scarlet red blooms that were as red as the most beautiful male cardinal. The salvias were a sharp contrast to the deep green foliage of the bushes behind them. In my grandmother’s shady yard, the bright red blooms of the salvia were a wonderful sight to behold. Consider planting beautiful salvias in your yard or garden and you just might create wonderful lasting memories for someone close to you.
Description of Salvias
This strong sturdy annual flower produces numerous blooms on a single sturdy stem, and the flowers of the salvia are exceptional. Salvias are available in classic red, and they are now available in cream, purple, pink, salmon, and varying shades of blue. Consider salvias if you want beautiful hardy annual flowers that will grace your yard or garden all season long.
Most annual salvias reach a maximum height of about one foot, but there are some salvia varieties that grow to an astounding height of approximately twenty inches. Beautiful salvias of any color would make a wonderful addition to your yard or annual flower garden.
Locations for Salvias
Salvias grow well in hardiness zones five through ten, and although salvias are hardy flowers, they require well-drained soil. If your soil is clay or has a high sand content, mix in compost or other organic material before planting salvias.
Salvias planted in a group make a bold and dramatic statement in a yard or garden. If you live in an apartment or another location with limited yard space, consider planting salvias in flower pots or decorative containers. Wherever you choose to plant your salvias, you are sure to turn heads and draw lots of attention to your yard or flower garden.
Planting and Growing Salvias
Salvia seeds take a long time to germinate, but if you choose to plant salvia seeds, sew them early in spring if you reside in a warm region, and later in spring if you live in a cooler region. Salvia seeds may be successfully planted and grown in containers or directly in the ground. If you start salvia seeds in containers, they may be planted outdoors when warm weather has arrived and they reach a height of about two inches.
After your salvias are well established, they should be watered on a weekly basis. Keep in mind that salvias won’t survive in soil that’s constantly wet, but they do require an adequate amount of water. If temperatures are exceptionally warm or there is a great deal of wind, salvias will require extra water.
For the healthiest foliage and numerous vivid blooms, feed your salvias once a month with granular or water-soluble outdoor plant food. Follow product label instructions carefully for best results.
Cut back your salvias after each period of blooming, and they will spring back to life again and again until the first frost. Also, deadhead your salvias to keep them blooming and thriving.
Uses for Salvias
Most varieties of salvias don’t survive long after cutting, but there are some varieties that make very beautiful dried flowers for dried flower arrangements. If you want salvias that make great dried flowers, consider the mealy-cup sage. This variety of salvia is a perennial flower, and it’s a great choice if you want to enjoy the beautiful blooms of salvias all year long.
Consider planting salvias in window boxes, container gardens, rock gardens, or create a beautiful annual flower border. Salvias are also a great choice for a charming annual cottage garden. Plant salvias wherever you want brilliant living color, and salvias will soon become one of your annual garden favorites.
