Annuals and Biennials – Salvia Splendens
Salvia splendens is really a perennial from Brazil, but it is most often used as an annual bedding plant in northern Europe. It is fast growing and flowers in the first season after sowing. They can be used in all sorts of areas as they are happy in tubs, window boxes and other containers, and can be more formally planted in bedding displays.
The most common cultivar used is the brilliantly scarlet ‘blaze of fire’ but other varieties are available in pink and purple shades and in sizes between 8in and 24in (20cm to 60cm) tall. The flower colour of salvia is a combination of flowers and bracts. Plant well grown plants outside only when all risk of frost has passed. Salvias are very frost tender, and a frost can decimate a newly planted scheme overnight. Always select sturdy and multi-stemmed plants and deadhead the plants to keep them tidy and to encourage continuous flower production.
Plants grown in the open ground will usually need no additional watering after planting. Container plants are more vulnerable to drying out and the compost needs to be kept moist. In cooler climates, they can be planted in full sun but in areas that get very hot summers, partial shade will be required.
Growing Requirements
Soil
Salvia splendens prefers a fertile, free-draining garden soil, but pot-grown plants will grow well in a good quality compost. Container grown plants will need feeding every 7 to 10 days, from planting out to the end of the season, with a proprietary liquid plant food.
Size
Height around 12in (30 cm) with a similar sized spread.
Propagation
Propagation is by seed. Sow the seed under glass between January and March, where a temperature of 20 to 27° C. is required for germination to occur. Grow on at around 13° C. and plant out after the danger of frost has passed.
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Salvia
Tags: annuals, garden plant, ornamental garden plant, salvia, salvia splendens
