Salvias

[MightyMeerkat]

Hello. I had some beautiful salvias last year but this year there is no sign of growth and the base of the plant looks dead. Is it just too soon for them or could I have lost them to winter frost? I had some amistad, nemerosa and love and wishes varieties. Thanks!

I took seeds from my Hot Lips last year, lots of seedlings coming up inside now

[quote didireallysaythat]@Shenadoah I over winter Love and Wishes in a greenhouse and usually buy a few more plugs this time of year. Never had the courage to plant them out directly[/quote]
I should know better shouldn’t I. “Love and wishes” ? Hmm, don’t think I know that one, I’ll have a quick google...........

Oh look, it has fallen into a virtual basket.......

@viques - it's awful when that happens.

I'm thinking of a trip to a garden centre this afternoon. Because I clearly need more plants. It's not like I can fit anything else in the greenhouse.....

Anyone's Salvias perked up? I was watching this thread, as no signs of life on mine apart from one tiny green leaf 😬 I swear this leaf is teasing me. The rest is wood, but was trimmed back after last flower, both had grown massive and were really gorgeous all summer.

Still nothing from mine 🙁

Only one of six of mine has any new growth (3 amistad, 3 giant blue).

@viques that made me laugh! I have to stop myself buying any more plants. Currently have two new DA roses still in the shed that need to be planted in the next few days.

Think my Armistad is a goner!

No signs at all.... and it’s always been the star of the show in my ‘purple plot’

[quote OliviaRwhite]@viques that made me laugh! I have to stop myself buying any more plants. Currently have two new DA roses still in the shed that need to be planted in the next few days.[/quote]
I know,it’s a proper addiction. I’m surprised there aren’t hoodied people on street corners offering “pluggies” to desperate gardeners on a Saturday night when all the garden centres are closed.

I went to “look at” some pots at a local B and M that has a garden centre, talk about gateway drug. While I was looking at the pots I was impressed by the quality of their plants - if you know what I mean. And the pots were good too, though I was remarkably restrained and put one of them back on the rack. There is hope for me yet.

I have also lost Love and Wishes but it's my own fault, l should have dug it up and put it in a pot, or took cuttings. Some of my other Salvias are looking ok, some seem more tender than others. It doesn't put me off as l love these plants.

I'm so pleased to have found this thread, I've been thinking one of mine had died over the winter and have been checking it most days

There are some small signs of life now so hopefully not lost for ever as it done really well for a couple of years. I'm a rubbish gardener but maybe I need to think about cuttings for next winter.

I'm giving mine until may before I declare it dead, there are many plants and trees around that haven't started to green yet including my beech hedge.

My Salvias always come up late so I think they are dead. Then green growth starts at the bottom but I don't think its for a while yet.

@viques - I’ve never checked out B and M but will do next time I pass one.

One of my Amistads is looking good. And one giant black and blue has the tiniest bit of green at base (tho this could well be a weed seedling - see zoomed in pic). Nothing on the other 4.

Do you think if I bought another amistad and in the autumn cut it down and cover with an upturned hanging basket stuffed with something insulating, it might survive?

I'm thinking it might be my duty, for the good of mn, to do the experiment and report back. And it would be nothing to do with feeding my slight salvia addiction, right?

Mine are all on the grow; got nemorosa Amethyst and Caradonna. Both are very easy to get cuttings from but appear to be tough as old boots.

[quote OliviaRwhite]@viques - I’ve never checked out B and M but will do next time I pass one.

One of my Amistads is looking good. And one giant black and blue has the tiniest bit of green at base (tho this could well be a weed seedling - see zoomed in pic). Nothing on the other 4.[/quote]
Make sure it is a branch that has a garden centre attached,

My Amistads from last year are not showing a sign of growth yet. I have, however, just virtually guaranteed them starting to shoot by ordering some more ...

(Was considering putting some in another bed anyway, so quite happy to end up with double, so hoping this strategy works.)

@Whitney168 just looked up the amistad and I'm in love. Mine is a hotlips and not sure what one I had before in a past house but was plain red similar to hotlips.

The Amistad was fantastic last year, @cheeseandpicklesandie, flowered for months on end until frosts eventually got it, and the bees loved it.

I love Hot Lips too.

I wish Sarah Raven would hurry up with my salvias, before I forget what I ordered.

It's so cold this year I think everything is a bit slow

My royal bumble is looking quite perky after its first winter. But I have a v sheltered small London garden so it only ever gets a light frost.

What time of year is best for taking cuttings so I can expand my empire?

@MrsBertBibby

I wish Sarah Raven would hurry up with my salvias, before I forget what I ordered.

I’ve had Jezebel come from SR, so assume they must be starting to work through.

@Whitney168 you're my kind of gardener. I have 35 lavender from last year in pots from a similar online event.....