California
Native Plants
Growing Salvias (Sages)
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Salvias
(Sages) are very easy to grow, are
very durable, and are relatively
carefree. All have high
tolerances for dry conditions because
they can be drought deciduous, as
necessity dictates. In extreme
conditions, they will retain just a
little tip growth--enough to carry on
marginal photosynthesis--just enough
to survive and when they receive
water, they will get a flush of new
leaves. (If you are able to
water them in your landscape, you can
keep them looking
garden-worthy.) (When you do
water, water the soil, keeping
moisture off the leaves) Sages
bloom in late spring to early summer,
with intermittent flowering through
the whole summer, if irrigation is
available. All but Salvia
sonomensis and Salvia spathacea
prefer full sun exposures. These
two make fantastic drought tolerant
groundcovers especially for under
native oaks, that should be kept on
the dry side through the summer.
All the other sage species take
blasting heat and sun, though they
certainly can tolerate a little shade
during the day. Part of their
ability to tolerate such adverse
conditions is a result of their deep
and extensive root system. They
are able to tap into soil moisture on
the steepest, most inhospitable
slopes. Salvias are excellent
slope stabilizers. And while
they, as a rule tend to inhabit well
draining soils, clay or heavy soils
don't pose a problem if they don't
remain constantly wet.
In
addition, all the sages listed above
can be used as culinary food
flavorings or enhancers. And the
more fragrant Salvias are
useful as bee/honey plants.
TO
SUMMARIZE:
--
Match the plants needs to a
microclimate or landscape conditions
roughly similar to its original
habitat.
-- Don't indulge S
with too much fertilizer or water,
because they are adapted to poor
soils and sunny, dry locations. They
will not do better with more of
each!
-- Plant and establish them during
the wet, cool season.
-- Water them when the sub-surface
soil is on the dry side.
-- Establish them in this way through
their second or third dry season.
But, if they need water over future
dry seasons, by all means give it to
them, in the cool of the day, not
when the temperatures are scorching.
If,
your Salvia is to be planted
in among existing garden plants:
--
Be
certain all plants have compatible
water requirements.
-- Keep water off the foliage of Salvias;
water at the soil level. If
sages are in the shade and water is
continually allowed to remain on
their leaves, some species may
develop powdery mildew.
-- If existing plants receive
regular irrigation, plant Salvias
on top of a mound or swale to
increase water drainage.
-- Plant on the outskirts or high
side of a sprinkler system.
-- Look for the symptoms of cultural
problems: over-watering: hanging
yellow or wilting leaves (check for
wet soil too), white, powdery spots
or mats on the foliage (keep water
off the leaves or move to a sunnier
location).
Return to Guide to Salvia
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