Hi everyone,

My first time planting Salvia, and my first time on this forum.

I just purchased and planted 6 Slavia Flare--WOW! What a bright and beautiful plant! They're in full bloom, and pretty stalkie so I asked the nursery person if they only get one bloom and then the flowers are gone? Since it's an annual, and since I wanted something to fill in the gaps left after my tulips and narcissus went their ways, I was concerned.


She explained that if, once the flowers are finished, I cut them back to the bass of the blooms, the plant will "bush out" and grow more flowers. Does this sound right to you all? Is cutting the flowers back good advice? And will it, indeed, produce more flowers?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

@joannakat,

Welcome to the Agastache and Salvias forum!

Yes, she is correct. As it states on the 'Flare' database; Deadheading flowers ensures more flowering throughout the season. Scarlet Sage (Salvia splendens 'Flare')

and @Marilyn! I didn't notice that on the database entry. I appreciate your pointing it out.

I think this is one of the most beautiful plants! I can't wait to see how it grows!

@joannakat,

You're

Click this link and view one of the pics (wait a few seconds and the second one shows up). It's the one that shows a lot of salvia Flare planted in front of the house.

http://www.ballseed.com/PlantI...

I don't usually find the Flare variety locally, but it's suppose to a good one.

Beautiful @Marilyn, thank you. That's exactly what I was hoping for! Especially the second picture where the border is stunning and very obvious.

You're

An additional question--do these beautiful plants reseed themselves? They're doing very well and I'd like to see them again next season.

@joannakat

I didn't think they did, but when I did a google search to check for you, I found some links that sell the seeds, so maybe yours will reseed, but to be on the safe side, buy fresh seeds for next year.

http://parkseed.com/flare-salv...

http://www.burpee.com/flowers/...

https://www.harrisseeds.com/pr...

Marilyn said:@joannakat

I didn't think they did, but when I did a google search to check for you, I found some links that sell the seeds, so maybe yours will reseed, but to be on the safe side, buy fresh seeds for next year.

http://parkseed.com/flare-salv...

http://www.burpee.com/flowers/...

https://www.harrisseeds.com/pr...

A zone 5b winter will likely be too cold for the seeds to survive. However, you can collect the seeds and sow them inside in late winter for planting out in spring.

Danita said:A zone 5b winter will likely be too cold for the seeds to survive. However, you can collect the seeds and sow them inside in late winter for planting out in spring.

If you're going for seed then seek out Salvia splendens "Yvonnes Giant". By September it'll be close to two metres (six feet) and multi branched. Same level of hardiness (naff all!) but it does produce seed freely...............
Salvia splendens "Yvonnes Giant" by longk48, on Flickr

Salvia splendens "Yvonnes Giant" by longk48, on Flickr

Wow, thank you!

Wow!

Last year I grew Salvia splendens from seed for the very first time. I found some great info on growing Salvias on the Flowers By The Sea website (https://www.fbts.com/). I followed their instructions and had beautiful Salvias all summer long. They have a great Youtube video that was extremely helpful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
You start the seeds about 8-12 weeks before your last frost (not sure he says this in the video, but I picked it up somewhere and it worked perfectly) so I'm getting ready to start mine today or tomorrow. One other thing I can add is that in the video he says to use a fine crushed granite to cover the seeds-I found that baby chick grit worked perfectly.

dmurray407 said:Last year I grew Salvia splendens from seed for the very first time. I found some great info on growing Salvias on the Flowers By The Sea website (https://www.fbts.com/). I followed their instructions and had beautiful Salvias all summer long. They have a great Youtube video that was extremely helpful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
You start the seeds about 8-12 weeks before your last frost (not sure he says this in the video, but I picked it up somewhere and it worked perfectly) so I'm getting ready to start mine today or tomorrow. One other thing I can add is that in the video he says to use a fine crushed granite to cover the seeds-I found that baby chick grit worked perfectly.

Chick grit is now what we use, as it is readily available and consistent.