I did Salvia Blue Bedders the first year I wintersowed and so far they have come back every year (my third year). I love them and they are a gorgeous blue. I hope this picture shows their real color. PS I HOS the salvias - I like big mounds of them plus the ones that came back bloomed early (picture shown was in May), but yours may take a little longer because it's the first year - They are worth the wait. So happy for you - you will love them.

Carrie

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Oh Carrie those are great! I love the verbena in the background too ( I was HOS that today as well! - I'll have to save my other container to plant by the Salvia.

So these are "second year" pics? or third? but you did get some bloom that first year?

First year blooms, but this picture was taken second year and so the salvias bloomed in May - I think I remember waiting (impatiently) for the Salvias to bloom the first year but they finally did - maybe more towards end June (?) (I can't remember). But the second year, they bloomed in May ( picture was from the second year). I don't know how well they survive LI - but here they came back, even when we had teens over the winter. As a matter of fact, they were green all winter. I am a former New Yorker and I think they will be fine - maybe protect a bit if it really gets cold. Good luck

(PS Verbenas also bloom first year - and come back also - actually green all winter)

Carrie

Lovely!

I grew them last year and was blown away by how big they got, I think mine bloomed at shoulder height; they never quit and just got better and better as the months went by.

They are annuals here in zone 5. I sowed some 3 or 4 years ago and haven't done it since. No need to since they reseed like crazy. I collect tons of seeds but the patch just keeps getting bigger. I'm not complaining, I just kind of let them do their own thing. Mine will get anywhere from 3 to 4 feet tall and bloom their heads off forever.

Trudi - how high is your shoulder high? I am 5' 10! I imagine even if you are petite, it must be more than the 36' I was expecting! Wow - can't wait to grow these beauties. Trudi, did yours come back this year (perennial for our zone it says on the packaging)or did it reseed?
Nancy

Nan, I am a proud 5'maybe.

Nurmey - I think you are the one who sent me my blue bedder seeds! I wished I had kept a record when I was a newbie. I wanted to thank everyone who sent me seeds and it was a confusing (at least for me...) time and I didn't think to keep a record. Anyway, yes, they do reseed but I have to admit, harvesting those seeds are tricky for me. You have to catch them before they fall to the ground.

Carrie

Carrie, yes those are my "grandchildren". ;-)

Here is a shot of my winter sown Blue Bedder Salvia in their first year. Photo taken Aug 15, 2005.

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- Brent