Topic of the Week
Salvias For Fall
Forum Archives
Location: Oregon, Western
Posted: Oct-17-2004 at 12:21pm
Salvias of Fall
As the daylight hours shorten and I gaze out at my garden I am always amazed at how many salvias are in bloom. As the hardy plants, shrubs, trees and perennials, in my garden start to change color and drop leaves the ’tropical’ or tender salvias are just beginning to show their stuff. Yes, my garden is now awash in the colors of Fall, yellows, browns and fading greens as the hardy plants prepare for their winter rest but the salvias, oh the salvias, they seem determined to put on one last show before the first hard frost turns the garden to mush.
I first stared growing salvias to add color to my late summer garden. As I explored the world of salvias I found that this genus of plants had a number of species that would start blooming in September and October and would carry the garden’s color right on up to the first hard frost. By planting these Fall bloomers along with two summer blooming species, Salvia greggii and Salvia microphylla and cultivars, the garden can be ’in bloom’ with salvias from May into November most years. A common misconception about growing salvias is that one must have full or mostly full sun to grow them. This is not true. As you will see in the following descriptions many do very well by being sited on the north side of my house, where they receive bright light and some sun in the early mornings during May, June and July. As can be imagined there are more salvias that are in flower in the Fall than I have listed below.
I thought I would start this article with one of my favorite salvias:
Salvia regla ’Huntington’ This is a shrub type salvia growing to approximately 4’ to 5’ tall. Although this year one plant has grown to 8’ tall. S. regla starts to set its flower buds in late September, starting to bloom as early as the first week of October. As the month progresses the shrub is steadily covered in large orange red flowers. In my garden these are usually killed off by a hard frost in late October or November. I think this salvia will continue to flower, in many of the more milder Portland area gardens, well into November and maybe later. Salvia regla is a deciduous species. Do not cut this one back until new growth begins in the spring, you can look at S. regla as one of those plants that gives you a fourth season of designer sticks for the winter garden. I grow this species on the south, east and north sides of my house and it blooms in all locations. In fact one of the plants on the north side is just stating to bloom as I write this while the south side one is just setting flower buds. Species - MEXICO
Salvia longistylla is a tall herbaceous species it can grow to 6’ tall. The leaves are heart shaped and chartreuse in color until mid summer. The flower buds begin to appear on the terminal tips in late September. As the days pass flower buds begin to appear at the leaf axils along the stems. By mid October the long narrow burgundy red flowers appear. An interesting aspect of this salvia is that it produces stolens similar to what S. guaranitica produces. I suspect S. longistylla might be root hardy here in the PNW if it is sited in a well draining protected site. I will be ‘ground’ testing my large plant this winter by leaving it in the ground with a good covering of mulch. MEXICO
Salvia confertiflora come to us by way of Brazil. It is a large growing salvia upwards to 5’ tall when in bloom. The leaves are deep green , large and textured making for a handsome plant. The foliage contrasts nicely with the fuzzy reddish orange flower stems, calices and flowers. The flowers are small a shade lighter than the calices. These are borne on ever lengthening stems resulting in flower stems easily over 1’ long. S. confertiflora usually begins blooming in late August or early September and continues until frost. I’ve found that plants which are over wintered can start to bloom as early as late June. This species is not reliably hardy here but it is a great addition to the Fall border.
Salvia mexicana ‘Limelight’ This is a very large growing salvia. It can grow upwards to 8’ tall and as wide. This type of growth seems to occur in a full or mostly sun site. I’ve found this species grows shorter and narrower in a shady site. I have this species growing on the north side of my house. It receives very little direct sunlight. The light it receives is bright shade. In a shady site it tends to have larger and darker leaves which set off the silvery veining in the leaves. In October the plant starts to set its buds. The lime green calices continue to increase in size as the days pass until they start to grow from a nodding position to an erect position.. The dark blue flowers will start to appear soon after this position change. The flowers combined with the lime green calices make a stunning addition to a mixed border, especially if the plant is sited in front of a dark green background. I like to site mine in front of an arborvitae hedge for the best effect. MEXICO
Salvia madrensis is the largest growing yellow flowered salvias I grow. It can grow as tall as 7’ or taller. I have never had one grow over 5’ tall. In mid October sometimes earlier, the plant starts setting its flower buds. The flowers usually appear in late October these are a soft butter yellow. One of the interesting aspects of this salvia is the large square stems. The stems are deeply grooved on all four sides. This species is root hardy if sited in a protected well drained site. Site this salvia where it will receive some shade. It can grow into a larger clump each year. A nice addition to the Fall garden. MEXICO
Salvia koyamae is a species from Japan that does best in a shady site. This species, even if it didn’t flower, deserves a place in the mixed border just for its foliage. The plant forms a large clump of leaves that can grow as tall as 2’ tall and as wide as 3’ wide. The leaves are large and hastate in shape. As the plant grows larger it tends to wander and weave itself through the border. In late August or early September the flower stems begin to appear. These will grow to a height of 1’ or more above the foliage. As they grow large soft yellow flowers will start blooming contrasting nicely with the foliage. Site this species in a well drained shady location and watch it thrive!
Salvia nipponica ‘Fuji Snow’ is another yellow flowered species from Japan. This is a cultivar of S. nipponica. S. nipponica ‘Fuji Snow’ has variegated green and white leaves. This salvia needs to be sited in a shady location to keep the foliage from burning in the hot afternoon sun. In late September the flowers start to appear. The flowers are large and are held well above the foliage. The flowers are soft yellow. Some years it tends to set its flowers late thereby causing them to be burned back by an early hard frost.
Salvia azure ssp. pitcheri is a very hardy species native to the Central USA. This species has narrow lanceolate leaves similar to the leaves of hybrid penstemons. This species will grow to 4’ tall and is rather lax. I’ve found by planting it where it can lean on or grow through other plants helps to keep this salvia from flopping drastically when in flower. A good plant to grow it up through is S. regla ‘Huntington’ the contrast of the orange red flowers of S. regla ‘Huntington with the blue flowers of S. azurea ssp pitcheri make for a wonderful combination. Flowering for S. azurea ssp. Pitcheri begins in September and continues into October. I have two plants of this species and each one has flowers in a different shade of blue. One has light blue flowers and the other has a deeper mid blue flower. Both clones have very densely packed flower heads which tend to cause the plant to droop under the flower’s weight. This species is completely hardy here in PNW just be sure to give it good drainage.
Salvia splendens ‘Van Houteii’ is a sight to behold in the fall border. Around mid September the plant starts to show its colors and gives a hint of the show that’s about to unfold. By mid October every terminal bud on every branch carries the deep burgundy flower whorls. There doesn’t seem to be many flowers in bloom at one time but the burgundy calices make up for the lack of flowers. My plant has grown to 4’ tall and about 3’ wide. This species hasn’t been hardy for me in the garden so I will pot it up and over winter it in the hoop house. This species also comes in an orange flowered form. A true joy to see in the fall border. BRAZIL
Salvia atrocyanea is a blue flowered salvia species from Bolivia. The plant grows to about 4’ tall and as wide if it is tip pruned in late June. I have found if this is not done then one has a plant of single stems that drop the lower leaves leaving the plant looking rather bare legged, not a pretty sight. Tip pruning causes the plant to grow more side branches. Each one of these will form flower stems thereby giving one a greater flower display in September and October. The flower of this species are a mid blue set off against green bracts. The bracts as they age become tinged with black on the back surfaces. The bracts are gathered at the tips of the flower stems before they unfurl, this has the appearance of a green rose. As the flower stems elongate they start to gracefully arch. This can be a problem as the stems are very brittle and will snap off in a good wind. Try to place S. atrocyanea amongst other plants for support or site it in a relatively wind protected site. This species forms tubers making it an excellent choice for a mixed Fall border.
Salvia elegans is one of the most pleasantly fragrant salvias. The leaves when brushed against fill the air with the scent of pineapples. Salvia elegans can grow up to 5’ or more and about 3’-4’ wide. The plant emerges from its rootstock in Spring growing rapidly as the days warm. In Late September the flower buds appear by mid October flowering is a cultivar S. elegans ‘Honey Melon’ that grows to about 3’ tall. This form usually will start blooming in mid June and continue until frost. Both should be root hardy here if planted in a well drained site. MEXICO
Salvia leucantha also known as Mexican Bush Sage has been in local gardens for some timecommences. The flowers are narrow and fire engine red, one of the reddest reds. There and is readily available locally. This species grows to about 4’-5’ tall and tends to grow about 3’ wide. The leaves a narrow and have a grayish tint to them. The flower buds appear in late September with the flowers opening in October. The calices are purple and fuzzy. The flowers are white. There are several cultivars of this species one is, S. leucantha ‘Midnight’ which has purple flowers. S. leucantha is hardy here most year, although I lost all mine in January 2004. MEXICO
Salvia ‘Anthony Parker’ comes to the garden scene by way of chance. It was a chance seedling found in a South Carolina garden. It is believed to be a cross between S. elegans and S. leucantha ’Midnight’. This salvia grows to about 4’ tall and about 3’ wide. I’ve found it to be one of the most perfect looking plants in form and size. The leaves resemble those of S. elegans in shape but not in scent. The leaves have somewhat of a grayish blue tint to them. In late September the flower buds appear. The flowers usually appear in October barring any early frosts. The flowers are a deep purple. S. ‘Anthony Parker’ is marginally hardy here with protection. I learned the hard way to be very patient in the Spring awaiting this salvias return. I dug up the stumps only to find them just starting to sprout underground. My impatience caused the plants to die. This salvia is a must in a mixed border for the foliage alone.
References see the publications below:
A BOOK OF SALVIAS Sages For Every Garden
A NEW BOOK OF SALVIAS Sages For Every Garden
Author; Betsy Clebsch Pub.; Timber Press
THE GARDENER’S GUIDE TO GROWING SALVIAS
Author; John Sutton Pub.; Timber Press
Booklets:
ALVIAS
SALVIAS II
Author; Christine Yeo - NCCPG National Collection Holder
Pub.; Pleasant View Nursery
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Oct-17-2004 at 12:42pm
Hey Bill, Great topic and I have a question for you. I asked this once before but we weren't sure yet. So now three years after planting it, I have some decent pictures that you can see here.
We thought at one time it might be Salvia koyamae and reading your description it seems like it is. I am not sure if you gave me this one or not, but it certainly is one of my favorite salvias. It is thriving under the shade of birch trees on top of a rock wall. It dies back to the ground in winter. When I first had the plant it had these beautiful purple blotches on the leaves but I have not seem them do that trick since I planted it.
If this is the one, does this mean it is going to creep around the garden and push other smaller perennials around? I am willing to move others, because I do want this salvia. Do I propagate by division and/or seed?
Thanks for this topic! BTW, A NEW BOOK OF SALVIAS Sages For Every Garden is an excellent reference for Salvias.
Salvia Guy
Location: Oregon, Western
Posted: Oct-17-2004 at 4:09pm
DebbieTT,
Yup, What you have there is Salvia koyamae. No it won't go ALL over the garden. It does tend to wander a bit or creep around as it grows not as in coming up all over the place. I have not seen it sprouting all over the place.
I propagate it by cuttings in the early spring. I've never collected seed from mine. It has always froze before any seed had a chance to ripen.
Salvia Guy
Location: Oregon, Western
Posted: Oct-17-2004 at 4:11pm
BTW: It seems accidentally deleted the 'S" from the first name under the BOOKLETS that should be SALVIAS..OOPS.
cjmiller
Location: Oregon, Willamette Valley
Posted: Oct-17-2004 at 4:20pm
I am one of those who was sure that salvias need to be in the sunshine, Thanks for the information. One thing I missed was if they can tolerate minimal watering. My planting has not done well in the front of the house as it faces as shady north, and the first year we lived here, we also found out that the irrigation water finds its way into the inside of the house when it is really wet. Would you recommend a salvia (or 3) that would do well in limited sun and pretty dry conditions?
P.S. Based on your recommendation last spring, I planted a bog salvia where the water often " pauses", and it is still wonderfully loaded of great blue blooms. Carol
Sydnie
Location: Western Washington
Posted: Oct-18-2004 at 10:46am
This is interesting. I thought all salvia's were wee plants.... Hmmmmm. Just reading and googling. I'm real sure that I'll find some wants. LOL.
CJ that one with blue blooms sounds interesting... I might have just the right spot for one of those. I love blue blooms !
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Oct-18-2004 at 11:11am
Oh Sydnie that made me laugh after recently visiting Kym Pokorney's garden where she had a Salvia guaranitica, that had flowers above my head.
We're not in Kansas anymore.
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Oct-18-2004 at 11:18am
Thanks Bill for the positively positive ID! This year its third year it was outstanding!
Sydnie
Location: Western Washington
Posted: Oct-19-2004 at 11:22am
Originally posted by Salvia Guy
I propagte it by cuttings in the early spring. I've never collected seed from mine. It has always froze before any seed had a chance to ripen.
My question is do all Salvia's for the most part propagate well from cuttings ? It's one of my favorite things to do, and always is a bonus I consider when getting new plants. (Like I wouldn't buy them anyway, ya right!)
LOL Debbie! That is one gorgeous plant!!! And tall wow. I have just the bed for it, too! My winter 'want' list is really already ridiculous & it's only Oct. LOL. BUT - My honey just made me a new huge bed for spring!!! (I think>>> he doesn't mind them as much as he protests. LOL)
Carol- thanks for letting me know that is a Salvia uliginosa !!! I'm googling it more today! My list will be a whole book by spring !!! But that's ok! The more the better! LOL.
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Oct-23-2004 at 4:25pm
Thanks, Bill, for giving me more options for flowers in my newest border. I'm hoping its full sun conditions with well-drained soil will give me an advantage with some of the more marginal salvias you listed.
I did a little googling and found pics of:
Salvia regla - how does 'Huntington differ from species?
S. confertiflora
Salvia mexicana 'Lime Calyx' - I'm assuming 'Lime Calyx' and 'Limelight' are the same.
S. madrensis
S. koyamae
Salvia nipponica ‘Fuji Snow’
S. azurea syn pitcheri - slight name difference but sounds the same as Salvia azure ssp. pitcheri.
S. elegans
Salvia leucantha
Salvia x 'Van Houteii' - I'm assuming this is the same as Salvia splendens ‘Van Houteii’.
Salvia atrocyanea.
Salvia 'Anthony Parker'
I could not find a pic of Salvia longistylla. Only some listings of it on "weed" pages. Not sure what this means, I didn't investigate further. Some of these seem easier to find on the 'net than others. I'm guessing the more elusive salvias are available by seed and from specialty nurseries. How did you get most of your salvias, Bill?
I'd think one advantage to the large sized salvias you listed is that I could hide their "designer stick" foliage behind evergreens for a more pleasing look through winter.
I suspected that calices was the plural of calyx but I had to google to verify. For those unfamiliar with this term, see the definition in Rainy Side's glossary in the C's.
Debbie, Kym and I bought our S. guaraniticas as the same time at Heronswood Nursery. I can't recall if she picked it up first and tempted me or the other way around but either way, we both ended up with this beauty. I was also amazed at how tall her plant is. My plant isn't as tall as hers and we think it's because mine is in full sun, while hers, planted in part shade, has to reach for the sun and ends up taller.
Salvia Guy
Location: Oregon, Western
Posted: Oct-24-2004 at 8:56am
Here's a link to my Salvia Photo Album. It should make picutre searching ofr salvia photos easier.
One Stop Looking!
Salvia Photo Album
Now NO DROOLING!
Lisa A
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Oct-24-2004 at 11:28am
Oh, well, yeah, having your photo page would have made searching for salvias pictures a whole lot easier! LOL
I'm posting the link to your webpage, included in your profile, for easier access for our members. Click on "salvias" for more lovelies to drool over!
Salvia Guy
Location: Oregon, Western
Posted: Oct-24-2004 at 12:34pm
Lisa,
Oh, well, yeah, having your photo page would have made searching for salvias pictures a whole lot easier! LOL
I know! Well DUH on me!.... I realized I should have posted a link to my photo album a few days after I posted the TOTW....then I got busy and...well you know how it can get...
Sorry,
SG
Salvia Guy
Location: Oregon, Western
Posted: Oct-24-2004 at 12:53pm
cjmiller,
Would you recommend a salvia (or 3) that would do well in limited sun and pretty dry conditions?
I've found S. mexicana, S. regla do well on the north side of my house. It can be rather dry at times over the summer where they are planted. Most of the larger South American and Central American species will do well in part shade and some dappled shade. Many will do well in dry sites with some watering in summer once they are established.
Sydnie,
My question is do all Salvia's for the most part propagate well from cuttings ?
Most can be propagated by cuttings. The only ones that would be difficult or not possible would be the rosette forming species. Some of these, Chinese species in particular, can be propagated by cuttings if you use the new stem growth in early spring. Normally this would form the bloom stems if it is left on the plant. By using it for cuttings you will delay the flower bloom. These stems will root just be sure you have a leaf node under the soil.
Lisa,
How did you get most of your salvias, Bill?
I buy many as seeds from various mail order nurseries. Some I get from trades (seeds usually) with reliable sources, by this I mean people who know what they are growing.
Regarding Salvia guaranitica and S. guaranitica 'Black and Blue'. These salvias tend to do best with some shade during the day. You might notice that, S. guaranitica 'Black and Blue' especially, the leaves on these tend to turn yellowish when in 'full sun'. I've found that by planting them in a part shade site will enhance the green in the foliage.
Salvia myth; Salvia need full sun to grow.
JeanneK
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Oct-25-2004 at 12:59pm
Wow! So many salvias, so little space. Thanks for pointing out some of your favorites. The two I got from you at the HPSO Fall plant sale are doing great. I really like the 'Van Houteii' you listed above. Such a gorgeous burgundy color. Drool!
Gardening for the Homebrewer: Grow and Process Plants for Making Beer, Wine, Gruit, Cider, Perry, and More
By co-authors Debbie Teashon (Rainy Side Gardeners) and Wendy Tweton