Hi Emily, I started seeds in Feb. and Mar. and both germinated just fine for me. These reached 4-5 feet tall---

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Click to enlarge.

You've seen mine, Emily. Topped out just an inch or 2 over 4 ft, but that's was in the worst drought I've ever seen. I sowed mine in April.

But, in fall, they did seem to tolerate the first very mild frost or two, down to maybe 28 or 30 degrees. Given that fact, I might push it some this year and sow in March and hope for the best.

Thank you again for all your hard work in spreading this wonderful plant, Emily.
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Karen

You folks are making me DROOL!!!!!

I am finally on the verge of receiving seeds of this beauty. Can't wait to sow it this year.

I gather they are grown in full sun, well drained soil? Rich soil? Poor soil?

Did I say I can't wait????

Tiffy: With your green thumb, you will show us up!

My soil is clay. My seedlings were planted in a fresh lasagna bed, built especially for them. So, it had lots of fresh organic composty stuff. And you are a champion at the compost too, I know. You and Yvonne's Salvia will be a marriage made in heaven.

Karen

I sowed Yvonne's Salvia in a milk jug on 4-28, germination by 5-15. The seedlings grew slowly, most likely due to drought, after good rainful in August they grew to a bit over 5 feet. They were beautiful and full.
Bobbie

I bet the hummingbirds loved them too.

Karen

Oh my gosh those are gorgeous! Any recommendation on where I should get some seeds? Wow.

Karen---yes, hummingbirds fight over mine all the time.
Duane

Yes, the hummers fought for them constantly.

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I have had 2 seed offers here on the WSing forum, and will most likely have one more in early Feb, after I get back from vacation. I will post it on the WSing seed exchange, so watch around the first or second week of Feb if you want some. So many WSers seemed to grow them this year but I don't think anyone else has had seed offers, other than, of course, Emily, the champion of Yvonne's Salvia. Without her, none of us would have this wonderful plant.

I'd like to cover my yard with them! My favorite plant EVER!

Karen

I wintersowed them last year but germination was sparce and the very few (3) plants never really thrived at all. They were only about a spindly foot tall with only a couple of anemic looking blooms.

I can always blame failures (don't know about the germination rate) on my extremely poor soil. I have a much better prepared bed to try them in this year so I'll give it another shot.

Linda: I had great germination, sowing in early April. They were planted in a new lasagna bed.

Karen

Boy, those are soooo beautiful! I sowed mine in early May, I think; figured I had started them too late to get a good show, but I was wrong! Once I planted out the seedling that I kept, the plant took off. In a 10" (too small) container, the plant grew between 2-3" tall. And flowered like mad - right through our first hard freeze! This year they'll get a bigger pot and maybe I can get two plants going.

I really wish I had the space to plant rows of them; Duane's and Karen's pics have me drooling!

PV

Thanks very much to those of you who have "answered roll call!";) It looks like the northern zones seem to have an edge here...
Here is a picture of my hedge, taken in October of 2007. (I am 5'7" tall, for perspective) Behind me, there are some "self seeders" that I let grow, to see how tall they would get. Beautiful plants, but not as tall as the ones I started. They were also not in the compost bed...the taller ones were.
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I'm happy to hear that the winter sowing method still produces good sized plants. I think the amended soil is a big factor...
Emily

Wow, those are SO gorgeous. This is my first year WSing and I was too shy to ask for seeds a couple months back, but is it still possible to get some seeds of these? Thanks.

For all those asking on where to get seeds, there is a yahoo group solely dedicated to Yvonne's Salvia. I posted my wish to take someone up on their SASE offer, but as I live in Canada & they were all in the States, I asked if anyone had advice on how to get US postage in Canada. And 3 people offered to send me seeds for free by the next day. Wow!! They are SOOO generous.

Gail

Hi,

I recently discovered WS, so consider me a Newbie! I was so excited to find about about WS that I've become obnoxious, bugging friends about saving milk cartons and containers. NOW I see this post about Yvonne's Salvia. I want it!! Would somebody put me out of my winter misery and send me some seeds? I'd be forever grateful!!

Sandy