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Does your salvia splay out in the middle?

14 years ago

I have only been growing salvia for a couple of years, so none of my salvias are more than 2-3 years old. I have Blue Hill, East Friesland and Marcus.

All of them seem to develop a "hole" in the middle of the growing season and sort of splay out toward the sides. Is this typical of salvia? I do deadhead it but do not really cut it down at any point during the growing season. Do you cut yours down after the initial bloom?

Featured Answer

HU-815719225

3 years ago

My salvia is only in its second year it is in full direct sun all day and we have not had warm nights in fact it has been cool and rainy so I am wondering if it can’t be the rain weighing it down or watering from above as may be the case with other people

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Comments (10)

coolplantsguy
14 years ago
I've never seen it here with 'May Night', but seem to recall seeing it with mature 'Caradonna'.

It might have something to do with warm nights. Armitage refers to your situation as being "common" for this plant in the South.

Otherwise, soil that is too rich, or too much shade, could be the cause. Or, it's an age/maturity issue, and it's time to dig 'em up and divide this spring.
jackied164 z6 MA
14 years ago
May Night always grew very erect for me but Blue Hill does grow this way in my garden. I do cut it back when it seems to stop flowering and this year it continued to flower until frost. May Night would re-bloom a bit after being cut back but it was pretty much done by early July for me. I think I grow Blue Hill with this type of growth in mind and it is my favorite salvia.
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User
Original Author
14 years ago
My Blue Hill bloomed till frost as well, but still splayed out in the middle. Blue Hill was brand new this year so it could not be in need of division. Maybe too shady or the soil.

Thanks.
totallyconfused
14 years ago
My East Frieslands do that. They are in full sun and have done it since the year they were planted. I've been told to cut them back after the first wave of blooms, but so far I haven't been able to bring myself to do it. That splaying is probably the main reason I don't grow more of them.

Totally Confused
felisar (z5)
14 years ago
Both my taller salivas 'Caradonna' and 'Amethyst' spaly out after the first flush of bloom- generally by mid-Jul. I cut them back to basal foliage to get a fresh set of leavves and a second bloom in the late summer/early fall.
whaas_5a
14 years ago
I've noticed this on several Salvia before...one of the reasons I'm not a big fan.
mxk3 z5b_MI
14 years ago
Last season was my first with Salvia "May Night" - they were in full sun with sun reflecting off brick, in sandy soil. They were gorgeous, no splaying.

I had to re-locate them at the end of the season, they are now in a part-shaded area (similar soil, on the dry side), I'm hoping they will be as lovely as last year without as much sun. If not, I guess I'll have to move them again. Really a nice cultivar :0)
Kiskin
14 years ago
My salvia Caradonna stayed nice and upright the whole summer.

{{gwi:193953}}
Elissa Pelletier
3 years ago
I agree with the post about rain or sprinkler/watering that splays our May Night salvias. This is our first use growing, and we’re upright and beautiful when they started blooming - but since all have splayed and makes for a messy appearance.

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