Scarlet sage (Salvia splendens) lights up the backyard with tall spikes of tubular flowers. Whereas crimson flowers are the most well-liked shade, new cultivars boast white, purple, and pink flowers. All of those flowers entice dazzling shows of hummingbirds and butterflies. Plus, it doesn’t matter what shade flowers you select, you’ll find yourself with a low-maintenance plant. Right here, we’ll take you thru every little thing it’s worthwhile to find out about rising and caring for Scarlet Sage at house, together with planting, soil issues, gentle preferences, feeding, pruning, and over-winter care.
How one can Develop Scarlet Sage – Key Takeaways
| Botanical Title: | Salvia splendens |
| Additionally Identified As: | Scarlet sage, crimson salvia |
| Hardiness Zones: | Can survive winter in zones 9/11, might be grown as an annual in zones 4-8 |
| Flowering Months: | Might by means of November |
| Rising Issue: | Straightforward |
| Sort of Plant: | Perennial, handled as an annual in chilly areas |
| Gentle Necessities: | Solar to half shade, prefers a minimum of six hours of solar |
| Temp & Humidity: | Thrives in temperatures between 60-90ºF, can’t survive temperatures beneath 32ºF |
| Watering Wants: | Water about as soon as every week in the summertime and as soon as each two weeks in spring and fall |
| Soil Preferences: | Properly-drained; prefers sand or loam |
| Feeding: | Fertilize within the late spring and summer time with a fertilizer designed for flowering crops |
| Progress Expectations: | As much as two toes tall and two toes large |
How one can Develop Scarlet Sage
Selecting a Location
Happily, scarlet sage crops aren’t too explicit about their location. Whereas they like full solar, they’ll survive partially shade and full shade.
Because of their tall kind and dramatic flowers, these salvias make nice additions to combined flower beds in addition to borders. Plant a line of those crops, and also you’ll find yourself with an excellent edge alongside a path or fence.
In addition they work properly as container crops and add dramatic top to combined planters.
Irrespective of the place you plant scarlet sage, you’ll wish to verify the drainage. If an space seems regularly moist, it’s finest to decide on one other location.
What are the Greatest Instances of Yr to Plant Scarlet Sage?
The perfect time to plant scarlet sage is within the spring after the hazard of frost has handed. This can permit the plant to turn out to be established earlier than the summer time warmth arrives.
For those who dwell in an space with out frost, you can too plant scarlet sage in mid-fall. The cool temperatures will permit crops to ascertain a powerful root system to allow them to take off the next spring.
Rising Scarlet Sage From Seed vs. Transplanting
It’s doable to develop scarlet sage from seed or transplants.
For those who’d prefer to develop these crops from seed, it’s essential to plan forward. Begin seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks earlier than the expected final frost date. To offer the seedlings with sufficient gentle, place them close to a sunny window or use a develop gentle.
Earlier than you plant the seedlings outside, be sure to harden them off. This includes inserting them outdoors for a number of hours after which a number of extra hours the subsequent day. Vegetation will likely be acclimated to the chilly by the point you might be able to plant.
If you are going to buy transplants, wait till the hazard of frost has handed. Then, you must harden them off earlier than planting them within the floor.
What to Do Earlier than Planting Scarlet Sage
Earlier than you plant scarlet sage, you must examine the realm. Make sure the soil is well-draining and there are not any indicators of puddling.
In case you are planting a combined flower mattress, lay out your crops earlier than you plant them. Guarantee every plant has sufficient room to develop with out changing into crowded.
For those who’re incorporating scarlet sage as a part of a container planting, make sure the pot has drainage holes.
What’s the Greatest Soil for Scarlet Sage?
Scarlet sage isn’t too explicit about soil.
The best soil for it’s sandy loam, however it may well thrive in any well-drained soil. It prefers a soil pH of impartial to barely acidic.
How one can Plant
In case you are planting within the spring, it’s important to permit transplants to acclimate to out of doors situations. Permit potted crops to sit down outside for a number of days earlier than you plant them.
As soon as able to plant, dig a gap a number of inches bigger than the plant’s root ball. Place the plant within the gap, cowl it with soil, and water properly.
Gentle Preferences
Scarlet sage thrives when it receives a minimum of six hours of shiny gentle every day. Nonetheless, it may well additionally develop properly in part-shade or dappled gentle.
Whereas crops received’t die in full shade, they received’t thrive. Count on stunted crops and a lackluster flower show.
Temperature & Humidity Preferences
Salvia splendens prefers summer time temperatures between 65-90ºF. Decrease temperatures will gradual plant progress.
Sadly, this plant shouldn’t be frost tolerant. It’ll die if temperatures fall beneath 32ºF.
How one can Take care of Scarlet Sage
When and How one can Water Scarlet Sage
Scarlet salvia crops like soil that’s moist however not moist.
Through the summer time, anticipate to water crops as soon as every week throughout drought. For those who obtain substantial rain, you’ll be able to skip watering.
Bear in mind that scarlet salvia crops are liable to root rot. If the highest few inches of soil is moist, there is no such thing as a must water.
How, When, and Why to Fertilize
Salvia splendens will profit from common fertilization.
To encourage a variety of flowers, fertilize as soon as within the late spring with a fertilizer designed for flowering crops. For steady blooms, fertilize as soon as a month in the summertime.
Pruning Scarlet Sage
Scarlet sage doesn’t require common pruning, however eradicating useless flowers and stems will hold it tidy.
In case you are rising scarlet sage as a perennial, you’ll be able to prune the plant in late winter. Use a pointy pair of pruning shears to chop the plant again to 4 to 6 inches tall. This can encourage new progress and flowers.
Propagation
Scarlet sage is straightforward to propagate by way of seed and stem cuttings.
Seed
For those who’d prefer to develop new crops from seed, begin seeds 6-8 weeks earlier than you wish to plant them outdoors. Hold seeds heat and moist till they germinate. As soon as seedlings have emerged, present shiny gentle so the crops can develop.
Stem Cuttings
Since many scarlet sage cultivars are hybrids, seeds received’t produce crops that resemble the dad and mom. You need to use stem cuttings to supply plant clones of the guardian.
To propagate scarlet sage by way of stem slicing, observe these steps.
- Lower a bit of stem that’s 4-8 inches lengthy.
- Take away any leaves from the underside two inches of the stem.
- Place the slicing in a glass of water so the reduce finish is submerged. Be sure that no leaves are within the water.
- Place the glass and slicing in an space with oblique gentle.
- Change the water each few days.
- After a number of weeks, you must see roots kind. Permit these roots to develop till they’re a minimum of half an inch lengthy.
- Pot up the cuttings in a container stuffed with potting combine.
Overwintering Scarlet Sage
Scarlet sage can survive the winter in areas that don’t obtain frost.
For those who dwell in an space that receives just one or two gentle frosts per yr, crops could survive with some assist. If frost is forecasted, cowl your plant with a bit of frost material or bedsheet. Take away the overlaying the subsequent day.
For those who dwell in an space with chilly winters, it’s finest to develop scarlet sage as an annual.
Nonetheless, you’ll be able to overwinter it indoors. To take action, dig up the plant and place the basis ball in a container. Retailer the plant in a cool, darkish space till spring arrives.
Repotting Vegetation Grown in Containers
For those who’re rising scarlet sage as an annual container plant, you received’t must repot it. Simply be sure you give it sufficient area to start out.
For those who’re rising a perennial container plant, you must repot each two or three years. Repot within the late winter or early spring.
When it comes time to repot, take away the basis ball from the container and brush off extra soil. Add a number of inches of recent potting soil, add the plant, and fill with extra potting soil.
Deadheading Scarlet Sage
Deadheading will encourage scarlet salvia crops to supply new blooms. You need to start deadheading in early to mid-summer and proceed by means of the autumn.
Deadheading includes eradicating all useless flowers. Since scarlet sage flowers develop on a stalk, you’ll wish to take away the entire stalk. Use a pair of sharp shears to chop the flower stalk a number of inches from the bottom.
Frequent Scarlet Sage Issues and How one can Deal with Them
Happily, scarlet sage crops don’t cope with many ailments or pests. Because of a powerful odor, they’re immune to rabbits and deer.
The most typical issues are powdery mildew and root rot. Whereas these ailments can happen naturally, they’re typically brought on by an improper atmosphere.
Correct plant spacing and a minimum of six hours of solar will assist forestall powdery mildew and different foliage fungi.
Root rot, a fungus that impacts roots, is commonly brought on by overwatering or poorly drained soils. Guarantee to solely water when the highest few inches of soil is dry, and use containers with drainage holes.
Scarlet sage doesn’t require too many specialised instruments, however the next gadgets will likely be helpful:
- Soaker hose or watering can
- Pruning shears
- Perlite or sand
- Soil probe or moisture meter
- Mulch, compost, or slow-release fertilizer pellets
Rising Scarlet Sage FAQs:
How Huge Does Salvia splendens Get?
Salvia splendens can develop as much as two toes tall and two toes large.
What Do You Do With Scarlet SageOver Winter?
For those who dwell in zones 9/11, scarlet sage will survive the winter with none further care. If frost is anticipated, cowl your plant with a bit of frost material or bedsheet. Take away the overlaying as soon as temperatures rise above freezing.
Scarlet sage crops won’t survive heavy frosts. For those who’d like to avoid wasting your crops, you’ll be able to dig them up and produce them inside over the winter.
Is Scarlet Sage Invasive?
No, scarlet sage shouldn’t be invasive.
Is Scarlet Sage a Perennial?
Sure, scarlet sage is a perennial. Nonetheless, it’s typically handled as an annual in chilly climates.
How Do You Deadhead Scarlet Sage?
As soon as flowers have died, you must take away total flower stalks. Use a pair of pruning shears to chop the flower stalk a number of inches above the bottom.
Will Scarlet Sage Develop in Shade?
Scarlet sage will develop in shade, but it surely prefers part-shade or full solar. If grown in full shade, it would seem stunted.
Wrapping Up
If you need a low-maintenance but show-stopping flower, scarlet sage is a good selection.
Briana holds a B.S. in Plant Sciences from Penn State College. She manages a small market backyard the place she grows greens and herbs. She additionally enjoys rising flowers and houseplants at house.
