ANR-1094 Perennial Salvias Can Brighten Your Landscape
ANR-1094, New Jan
1998. By Mary Beth Musgrove,
Extension Associate-Home Horticulture, Department of Horticulture,
Auburn University.
Horticulture Notes
Perennial Salvias Can Brighten Your Landscape
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Many salvia species and cultivars are available, both annual
and perennial, that will suit almost any need you may have for color in
the landscape. More cultivars are being developed each year. In fact, Salvia
nemorosa 'May Night' was named the 1997 Perennial Plant of the Year
by the Perennial Plant Association.
Two perennial salvias to consider adding to a mixed landscape border
are Salvia nemorosa 'May Night', and Salvia leucantha, Mexican
Bush Sage.
Salvia 'May Night' has the distinctive upright spike-like inflorescence
characteristic of salvias. Plant this salvia in the middle to front of the
flower border. When mature, Salvia 'May Night' reaches about 18 to 24 inches
tall with about a 1-foot spread. The 1-foot spikes of deep indigo blue flowers
make this a strikingly attractive plant.
For best flowering, salvias generally prefer full sun. Salvia 'May Night'
is recommended for zones 4 to 8, but would benefit from some filtered shade
in most areas of Alabama. It will bloom from early May through June. Plant
it in combination with other perennials such as Achillea 'Coronation Gold,'
Coreopsis 'Moon Beam', and Stachys byzantina, Lamb's Ear.
Another perennial salvia to try is Salvia leucantha, Mexican Bush
Sage. Native to Mexico, this salvia is recommended for zones 7 to 10. It
is tolerant of heat and drought and is better suited to our hot humid climate
than Salvia 'May Night'.
Plant Mexican Bush Sage toward the back of the flower border or as an
accent plant. It reaches a mature height of 4 to 5 feet and flowers in late
summer and fall. This plant makes a good companion plant to Swamp Sunflower
(Helenium autumnale) and Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia).
As an added benefit, these flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Mexican Bush Sage dries well as a dried flower and holds its rich purple
and white flower color.
Salvias prefer well-drained, moderately rich soil. They do best when
incorporated into a bed planting. Fertilize according to soil test recommendations
or 2 to 3 pounds of 10-10-10 per 100-square-foot area. Broadcast in early
spring. You can split the fertilizer application and apply 1 to 1.5 pounds
in early spring and another application of 1 to 1.5 pounds in mid-summer.
These perennial salvias require a minimal amount of dead heading or removing
of spent blooms.
For more information, call your county Extension office. Look
in your telephone directory under your county's name to find the number.
For more information, contact your county Extension office. Visit http://www.aces.edu/counties or look in your telephone directory under your county's name to find contact information.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and
home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related
acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama
Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn
University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal
opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color,
national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.
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