Re: pruning salvias
>
> You are basically correct about leaving pruning of Salvia greggii /
> microphylla plants for spring. These shrubs are adapted to fresh growth
> coming from coppice at the base and from the growing ends of the "canes".
> Think of roses and bramble fruit like raspberries, and you will get the
> right idea. The very fine old flower stems can be cut, but if you cut the
> stems too far back, you will remove a lot of the active leaf nodes. In
> spring, there won't be the needed emergence of foliar surface to generate
> growth. After a few seasons, you will be able to tell where the safe
> trimming points are for your climate.
Thanks Richard,
For your good advice. I've had several of my salvias for a few years now and
(as you say) am now getting the hang of it. In our very mild winter climate;
Southern Calif. our spring growth usually comes in mid February, so I do my
major trimming then.
> Many of them will look a bit ugly for a while, but unhampered spring growth
> will result in a full bush (at which point when you can shape the shrub),
> quickly followed by blooms.
>
> The worst thing you can do is cut the shrub to ground level. Only the
> rhizomatous microphyllas will survive this treatment.
I'd like to know about Salvia cacaliaefolia. It has developed after 2 years
into a nice patch of leafy growth to 3 ft. Seems I remember reading it is
rhizomatous as well. Can I cut it to the base in Feb./March?
Jan
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Jan Smithen,
Upland, California
jansmithen@earthlink.net
Sunset zone : 19
USDA zone : 10
http://home.earthlink.net/~jansmithen/
Visit the Los Angeles County Arboretum
Victorian Rose Garden website at:
http://victorian-rose.org/
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