tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post183285466524499200..comments2024-03-29T04:46:36.935-04:00Comments on A GUIDE TO NORTHEASTERN GARDENING: Pruning Salvia - A Simple How toLee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardeninghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15208392136967108192noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post-58338702083201077712017-06-16T15:08:51.931-04:002017-06-16T15:08:51.931-04:00HI Lyndsie. You cut the entire stalk at the "...HI Lyndsie. You cut the entire stalk at the "V" where the two side shoots are located (see diagram). You will see the two new shoots off to the sides producing new buds. I usually wait until quite a few stalks are done until I prune. After pruning, the plant rejuvenates.Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardeninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15208392136967108192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post-70349286285100976942017-06-16T14:30:31.156-04:002017-06-16T14:30:31.156-04:00How many inches from the top should it be cut? Is ...How many inches from the top should it be cut? Is it the whole stalk down to where the nearest green leaves are? Or do you not cut the stalks at all til fall? I'm misunderstanding. Are the dead buds just removed for pruning to be complete? Thanks!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05869541788132576171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post-53816427149936675992017-05-26T20:12:56.868-04:002017-05-26T20:12:56.868-04:00Hi Elizabeth. You can prune Salvia all the way ba...Hi Elizabeth. You can prune Salvia all the way back when they get leggy at the end of the summer and still get blooms into fall, so they should be alright. I would recommend giving them a boost by feeding them with some plant food. Try Peters or Miracle Grow. Both are good.Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardeninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15208392136967108192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post-38351918044428745982017-05-26T17:06:26.297-04:002017-05-26T17:06:26.297-04:00I am so happy to come across this blog...thanks fo...I am so happy to come across this blog...thanks for the terrific information! My salvia are usually beautiful bloomers and I have used the deadhead pruning strategy that you suggest above to great effect in past years. Unfortunately, I was away for a week or so just as my salvia buds were nearing bloom this year and, while I was away, a critter (deer? groundhog? fox?) ate the buds off of each and every single salvia plant in my garden. The leaves are still green throughout, with an inch or so of stock at the top that is then torn where the bud was eaten off. I am not sure how to salvage my salvia plants to maintain their health this year and to, hopefully, produce more buds (it's only May, after all!). Is there anything you would suggest?ElizabethNJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06206657479880690538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post-70363949934775081222017-05-25T11:57:11.702-04:002017-05-25T11:57:11.702-04:00Hi Lee! Thanks for the quick response! Thank you...Hi Lee! Thanks for the quick response! Thank you for the information ... I think I will try to trim along the outsides first and see how that goes. I worry about dividing them, I'm not a great gardener and I worry that I will kill the whole thing or part of it. If I do decide to divide them I may be back asking you some more questions haha! Thanks again.<br />KellyBeachloungerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06992088651094772386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post-4385371452595058342017-05-25T11:54:35.991-04:002017-05-25T11:54:35.991-04:00Thank you for commenting. I get asked about mainta...Thank you for commenting. I get asked about maintaining Salvia all the time with what I do, and am glad you found my article to be helpful! Trimming along the outside works great when Salvia get too wide and keeps them tidy. You can also think about dividing them early next spring when dormant or at the first sign of foliage emerging, but be careful to get a good root system. They can be a bit fussy when it comes to dividing.Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardeninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15208392136967108192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post-784820623514439112017-05-25T10:40:36.028-04:002017-05-25T10:40:36.028-04:00Hi,
Love this article it's very helpful! I h...Hi, <br />Love this article it's very helpful! I have two, this purple blue one and a white one and both are very healthy. This Spring though they have like tripled in size and are now to big (round) for the space they are in, they are starting to crowd the plants next to them. How can I trim them to make them smaller, not shorter? I was thinking of going around the base in a circle and cutting from the bottom the first outer "layer" of stalks, do you think that would work?Beachloungerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06992088651094772386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post-6567032965635761192016-09-16T15:34:38.173-04:002016-09-16T15:34:38.173-04:00Hi Jennifer. Thank you for your kind words. Withou...Hi Jennifer. Thank you for your kind words. Without seeing the plant it is hard to say, but it seems like it may be one of two things. Either your salvia is getting attacked by insects, specifically slugs, or they are in need of feeding to encourage growth. Slugs eat the roots and leaves, weakening the plant and leaving it in an unsightly condition. To look for slugs, dig into the surrounding soil and if they are present, you will need to apply slug control. You can also try feeding your plants now and again in the spring to encourage growth and blooming. It has been an awfully hot and dry summer in many areas, which has been taking a toll on some plants. Also, your salvia should be in full sun. Hope this helps.Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardeninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15208392136967108192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post-59931780214350036782016-09-16T13:41:44.290-04:002016-09-16T13:41:44.290-04:00Hi! I have may night in my garden. Planted last ye...Hi! I have may night in my garden. Planted last year and had beautiful blooms for most of the summer. I actually found your guide and pruned to your specifications, but the blooms did not return at all this year. The plant is green, a bit spidery and not really standing up. What can I do to help revive this plant and maybe see some blooms next season? Thanks for all your help, I LOVE your blog!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08215127860214834440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post-70370634405618360882016-08-31T20:17:02.093-04:002016-08-31T20:17:02.093-04:00Hi Candace. The Salvia you are describing are not ...Hi Candace. The Salvia you are describing are not hardy to my zone, so I am not that familiar with them; however, since the blooms are produced in the same way, the procedure for pruning them would most likely be the same. Generally, it is recommended to remove any dead blooms in order to encourage new growth and achieve greater and longer flower production.Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardeninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15208392136967108192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post-14523151555744321142016-08-31T14:29:49.443-04:002016-08-31T14:29:49.443-04:00Is this for all Dalvias even the HeatWave collecti...Is this for all Dalvias even the HeatWave collection such as HotLips, SallyFuns, and Glimmers???Candace Deniecehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08567485146176693584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post-46361972200728724642016-08-15T21:07:45.314-04:002016-08-15T21:07:45.314-04:00Thank you for your kind words. I enjoy hearing whe...Thank you for your kind words. I enjoy hearing when my readers find the information to be helpful. With proper pruning your salvia can bloom from May into July and then extend into fall. I sometimes also give mine a little boost with plant food to get them to re-spark. If you take off all the dead stalks they will also sprout new leaves from the center!Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardeninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15208392136967108192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post-76969375334883960732016-08-15T19:57:54.442-04:002016-08-15T19:57:54.442-04:00Oh my, I just found your blog on salvia. I planted...Oh my, I just found your blog on salvia. I planted it last year and was only blessed with 1 bloom period. I did nothing, since I didn't know that you had to prune to get more blooms. <br />Well, this yr. I took it upon myself to prune, and needless to say I did it wrong. I just basically clipped all the spent blooms off but didn't pay attention to where to make my cut. My May Nights are not reblooming.I probably cut too much off of the entire plant for it to rebloom. <br />I will refer to your blog next year, and do my pruning per your instructions. <br />All 4 of my salvia are still green and healthy, but to my dismay, no more blooms apparently for my south central Montana zone. <br />Thank you for this information. It will certainly benefit my plants next summer.<br />By the way, I really enjoy your website. Keep up the good work, and happy gardening to you!! ��G'mainmontanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10826257760605326560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post-59420016204559472592016-07-01T15:39:51.218-04:002016-07-01T15:39:51.218-04:00Hi JoAnn. You can prune it back and take off the s...Hi JoAnn. You can prune it back and take off the spent stalks/blooms which will encourage new growth. I also push some mulch around the base when it gets top heavy to keep it standing straight. If you are drastically pruning, a little plant food couldn't hurt. Hope this helps!Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardeninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15208392136967108192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post-763037091593746702016-07-01T13:43:41.574-04:002016-07-01T13:43:41.574-04:00We recently moved into a townhouse community and t...We recently moved into a townhouse community and there are purple salvia by our front step. It is laying down - almost looks like something has been laying in the center. Other than deadheading - could it just be cut back drastically to about 5 inches? or should I try to tie it up? I do not think the association will care for it properly so I will have to it seemsJoAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03030440278708991540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post-14018947729206650072016-06-06T20:48:21.232-04:002016-06-06T20:48:21.232-04:00You are welcome...Happy Gardening! You are welcome...Happy Gardening! Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardeninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15208392136967108192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post-36806425673471741992016-06-06T17:09:28.345-04:002016-06-06T17:09:28.345-04:00Thanks, Lee, for this link to your blogspot. I ha...Thanks, Lee, for this link to your blogspot. I hadn't been here before. I need to dedicate more time reading about gardening, not just doing it:) Today I fed everything. Tomorrow I'll deadhead the salvia. Carolyn Leyboldthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17598002013331995354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post-88185592151540323782015-09-09T19:48:05.274-04:002015-09-09T19:48:05.274-04:00Hi Jen. Since it is September I would remove any d...Hi Jen. Since it is September I would remove any dead stalks and foliage and just leave the few blooms and green. They will completely die back for the winter and return in the spring. Next season is a new start! Deadhead regularly and you will get blooms all summer!Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardeninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15208392136967108192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post-14202452311767522752015-09-09T10:53:57.829-04:002015-09-09T10:53:57.829-04:00Hello! I planted May Night this past spring, but ...Hello! I planted May Night this past spring, but never deadheaded. Now I have a few blooms and several spent stalks. Is it too late in the season to do anything to this plant? I want to be sure to set these plants up for the best chances of success for next spring.<br /><br />Thanks!Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10213099335905150268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post-17329727185405661312015-08-18T13:49:19.768-04:002015-08-18T13:49:19.768-04:00It's alright to cut them back a bit further, e...It's alright to cut them back a bit further, especially at the end of the summer when the plant is producing a lot of brown stalks. The majority of the plant's energy will now go into producing new green foliage but you may get lucky and see a few more smaller blooms.Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardeninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15208392136967108192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post-89094648902162219902015-08-18T12:32:38.361-04:002015-08-18T12:32:38.361-04:00I wanted to to deadhead my faded salvias but I did...I wanted to to deadhead my faded salvias but I did not do it from the bottom of the faded flowers, I cut them from the next set of leaves, kinda like removing the faded roses on their bush.<br /><br />It trimmed the plants pretty much to half their original height! Any chances to see blooms as the summer unfortunately ends? Did I do a mistake? <br /><br />Thanks!Danyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04435405133247319672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post-70000185900443198482015-06-14T16:07:15.214-04:002015-06-14T16:07:15.214-04:00Glad I inspired you. They bloom for a really long...Glad I inspired you. They bloom for a really long time as long as you deadhead them and the color is vibrant! Enjoy!Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardeninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15208392136967108192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post-41884961612464753932015-06-12T23:02:19.617-04:002015-06-12T23:02:19.617-04:00We don't have any salvia out here - but thanks...We don't have any salvia out here - but thanks to this article, I'd like to aquire some! ThanksEvelynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09416111193236361354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post-31365511416618000562015-05-26T19:39:30.676-04:002015-05-26T19:39:30.676-04:00Perennial Salvia die back in winter and return in ...Perennial Salvia die back in winter and return in spring. You should be seeing new growth and flower buds by now but you can give them more time. As far as your boxwood...it should only be green. If the shrub is brown that means it is probably expired and will need to be replaced. Next winter I would recommend spraying them with an anti-desiccant to prevent winter burn and drying, Hope this helps!Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardeninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15208392136967108192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239416285826090692.post-38000001500227997602015-05-26T12:46:39.473-04:002015-05-26T12:46:39.473-04:00I bought and planted 4 blue salvias in my front la...I bought and planted 4 blue salvias in my front landscape last year inbetween boxwoods...they looked great all summer and then winter came. They turned brown and look dead. Now that it is May 2 of them have green leaves again... the other 2 are still brown.... we did not prune them as i didnt know i had to. Is there any way to save them?? or are they too far gone.... also 3 of my boxwoods are growing green but there is one that is still brown and doesn't look like its turning green. HELP!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16402546299077452875noreply@blogger.com