Salvia is considered a beautiful plant that does not require careful care. Often the culture is used in landscape design to decorate gardens on a summer cottage. Decorative flower shrubs are great for flower beds, rock gardens, balconies and mixborders. Photos of the flower variety will help gardeners correctly place the plant in their summer cottage, in combination with other flower crops.
Botanical description of the plant
Salvia (varieties, photos of flowers are presented in the article to familiarize yourself with garden culture) belongs to the herbaceous genus of shrub crops. The flower can be grown as an annual or biennial plant. It can withstand frost normally and does not need direct sunlight. However, continuous shadow negatively affects the culture.
Photo of red Salvia variety
The flowers are presented in a spike-shaped form, which consists of 35 small inflorescences. The latter initially bloom at the bottom. The petals can be colored pink, red, blue, lilac, yellow or white. The flowers are two-lipped and fragrant. At the end of the flowering stage, dark-colored fruits and nuts begin to form.
Depending on the variety, the height of the bushes can reach 30-160 cm. The pale green foliage is whole, elongated, pinnately dissected, soft and terry.
The stem is quite juicy and powerful. However, it is very easy to break. Closer to winter, the stem begins to become woody. With the arrival of spring, its top freezes, so it needs to be removed. The root system is powerful and grows well. The flowering period begins in June and ends in October. Salvia can be cultivated in open areas and at home.
Popular salvia varieties with photos
Salvia is a decorative form of sage, which is a compact bush with paniculate inflorescences. The traditional color of the flower is bright red. But modern breeders offer gardeners a variety of plant varieties with a wider palette of colors. There are several varieties of salvia.
Salvia sparkling is also called brilliant sage.
Sparkling - plant height from 25 to 80 cm. The flowers are red, but the shades obtained as a result of selection vary from cream to light yellow.
Mealy salvia is considered one of the most unpretentious
Mealy - a variety with bright blue or purple flowers. The height of the bush is up to 90 cm.
Salvia small-leaved is also called myrtle
Small-leaved is a semi-shrub plant with inflorescences of a bright red hue.
Salvia variegated is also called viridis
Variegated - the variety got its name because of the original color of the bracts: pink with bright veins.
The variety of salvia sticky has taken root best in Russian regions
Sticky is a cold-resistant variety that tolerates the most unfavorable growing conditions. The flowers are blue or purple with yellow corollas.
The plant is a dwarf variety reaching a height of about 25 cm
Burgundy is a dwarf variety with lush dark cherry double flowers.
Characteristics of varieties
Salvia is considered a perennial crop. However, in Russia it is grown as an annual or biennial plant.
The following varieties of flower shrubs are considered the most popular:
| Variety name | a brief description of |
| Salvia green | The annual shrub can reach approximately 60 cm in length. The stems are erect and have hard pubescence. The flowers are collected in inflorescences reaching approximately 30 cm in length. The color can be pinkish, lilac and green. |
| Salvia Cambridge | The bush is not too tall. The bracts are pinkish, blue or light in color. Prefers to grow in well-lit areas. Withstands cold climates. The culture can survive temperatures reaching -2 °C. Used mainly for flower beds, group plantings and borders. |
| Salvia comet | A lush and small bush, reaching approximately 25 cm in height. The foliage is shiny and green, with prominent veins. The inflorescences are quite dense, with reddish flowers. The flowering stage lasts from June to September. It is permissible to cultivate on the balcony and use it to create ridges and flower beds. |
| Salvia Coster | It is considered an annual plant, reaching approximately 60 cm in height. The inflorescences are very lush and red. The culture loves warmth and tolerates drought well. The soil cover should be neutral and have good water permeability. Suitable for cultivation in containers on the balcony. |
| Salvia red | The length of the bush is approximately 70 cm. It has dense pubescence and a large number of branches. The foliage is oval, with serrated edges. The outer side of the plate is pubescent, and the inner is smooth. The inflorescences are not too dense and can reach approximately 30 cm in length. The flowers are deep red. The flowering stage begins in the middle of the summer season and ends with the arrival of frost. |
| Salvia sparkling or brilliant | The shrub is 20-80 cm long. The foliage is entire and has a stalk-like shape. The outer side of the plate is predominantly dark green, and the inner side is light green. The flowers are large, with a double perianth. The petals are lilac, blue, light or scarlet. Brushes can hold up to 6 pieces. The length of each brush reaches approximately 25 cm. The flowering stage begins in June and ends in autumn. Pink varieties are characterized by a short flowering stage. Lilac types of flowers have thick pubescence and velvety texture. |
| Salvia Scarlet | Considered an early variety. Flowering occurs at the beginning of the summer season and continues until the first frost. Can reach approximately 25 cm in length. The shoots are greenish and the inflorescences are red. The length of the latter varies within 15 cm. It prefers to grow in sunny areas. The variety can be used to create flower beds and rocky hills, and can be cultivated on the balcony. |
Planting salvia
It is difficult to give general recommendations for growing salvia, because this plant has many species that differ so much from each other: some love the sun, others love shade, others love partial shade, some are drought-resistant, others love moist soils, and so on.
But despite this, there are many similarities between the species. So, all cold-resistant salvias feel equally good not only in partial shade, but also in the sun. Heat-loving species, on the contrary, can grow normally only in sunny areas, they are not so demanding on soil moisture and are more drought-resistant, keep this in mind when planting. When planting, place different species as far apart as possible. When choosing a place for planting, remember that all of them, regardless of the species, prefer to grow on light sandy soils, relatively rich in humus. And I almost forgot, salvias very easily cross with each other, which is why they are not suitable for further propagation by seeds. Therefore, try to place different types of salvia as far from each other as possible.
Plant conditions
The appearance of flowers shows how beautiful a plant is when all the rules of care and cultivation are followed. The culture does not prefer windy weather; it grows well in a lighted and warm place. Partial shade for successful cultivation requires only Salvia adhesive.
Humus and potassium compounds should be added as fertilizers. Periodically you need to mulch and regularly irrigate with water.
Lighting
Seedlings need lighting for 12 hours, so additional light is required. Containers should be placed on window sills. In the morning and evening you need to turn on the phytolamps.
Temperature
When growing seedlings, seeds must be kept at a temperature of +21 – +25 °C. The crop must be planted in the soil layer when there is no chance of frost, since temperatures below +5 ° C are very destructive for the plant.
Humidity
After sowing and during development, the soil layer should not be allowed to dry out. Seedlings should be moistened with a spray bottle or liquid should be poured into trays through the holes of which it will fall into the soil.
Soil and drainage
The place for planting salvia must be chosen taking into account its love of sunlight. If necessary, the plant will grow in the shade; only good sunlight during a short period of the day is enough.
The soil layer for the flower should be light, fertile and loose. If the soil cover is loamy or clayey, peat should be added to it in the amount of 1 bucket per 1 m2. Humus or compost is added if the soil is heavy.
Watering
The plant really does not like stagnation of moisture at the root system. Watering the soil cover must be done after the soil has dried well since the last time it was moistened. It is recommended to irrigate the crop in the evening with a small amount of liquid. As necessary, you will need to loosen the soil layer and pull out weeds, if any.
Methods of growing and propagating plants
Salvia (varieties, photos of flowers will help to properly grow and propagate the crop) can be propagated by several methods. Perennial varieties can be separated from the roots, sown and propagated by cuttings. Annual and biennial plants are propagated only by seeds: through direct sowing and seedlings.
Seeds are planted before winter, in spring and autumn. There are varieties that can only be grown from seedlings. All varieties of sparkling salvia are like this. High-quality material will be obtained from varietal flowers. Inflorescences that have bloomed are cut off and dried. This should be done under a canopy outside or in a well-ventilated room. It is possible to obtain quite a lot of seeds from dry seed pods.
How to grow a plant: step-by-step instructions
It is permissible to grow a plant from seeds using both seedless and seedling methods. If the first method is used, seeds can be sown in an open soil layer in the spring or before the onset of winter.
Salvia sparkling is grown only by seedlings. It is permissible to purchase granules and simple seeds in flower shops.
In addition to seeds, the granules contain components that make seedlings more stable and strong. But their germination takes a little longer. Seeds should be sowed from the second half of February to March.
Growing a crop from seeds is carried out according to the following points:
- The container needs to be filled with a loose soil layer, and then the granules or seeds should be distributed. They can be left as is or sprinkled with a 2 mm layer of earth.
- Next, the container will need to be moved to a warm place with an air temperature of +25 ° C and watered regularly through a tray or with a spray bottle.
- To keep the substrate moist for a long period of time, the container should be covered with paper. The first seedlings will germinate after 21 days.
- In order for a culture to take root faster, it needs strong roots. Therefore, the seedlings will need to be picked twice. The first procedure should be performed when the first 3 leaves appear on the seedlings. They should be placed in a new container, maintaining an interval of 5 cm; they should be deepened to the cotyledon leaves.
- After 20 days, the plants will need to be transplanted into separate pots with a diameter of at least 10 cm.
- When the 4th true leaf appears, you should pinch it to make the salvia more bushy.
- In April, it is necessary to harden the plant by keeping it at night in an environment with a temperature of +10 ° C.
When to plant salvia seeds for seedlings
It is best to find out planting dates for a specific period. Usually everything is written on the back of the package. Carefully inspect the packaging before purchasing, then there will be no problems with deadlines.
Most varieties can be sown for seedlings in late February or early March.
Due to the fact that they can be sown so early, they can be planted in open ground within three or three and a half months.
You also need to take into account the climatic and weather conditions of your region, for example, in central Russia, seedlings are sown in early or mid-March. In Siberia and the Urals, the optimal time is the end of March.
Every gardener and gardener knows about the existence of a lunar calendar, which will tell the exact date of optimal planting. Salvia can also be planted based on it.
The best days for sowing seeds for seedlings:
- February – 1-20, 25-29;
- March – 2-14, 29-31;
- April – 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 18-20; 24.35.
But, in addition to favorable days, the lunar calendar shows the days on which it is best not to do anything in the garden. The most unfavorable days for planting salvia in 2020:
- February – 9, 21-23;
- March – 9, 19, 20, 21, 24;
- April – 8, 15, 16, 17, 23.
Plant propagation instructions
The easiest and most convenient way to propagate the crop is from cuttings. The procedure is carried out according to the following points:
- From an adult shrub it is necessary to cut a cutting up to 20 cm long.
- Then it needs to be placed in a container with water and put in a dark place.
- Once the roots reach a length of 2 cm, the branch will need to be moved to a permanent location.
For perennial varieties, dividing the bush is suitable. It should be dug up and the parts of the root separated. Then the resulting shrubs will need to be planted in an open soil layer. It is permissible to propagate the plant using air outlets. To do this, the branch needs to be tilted towards the soil and covered. After some time, roots form on the branch. After a few months, a strong root will form. Afterwards, the branch can be separated and replanted separately.
How and when to plant seedlings in open ground
Planting of seedlings should be done when night frosts have completely disappeared. When choosing a planting site, give preference to an area with loose and light soil in a well-lit place. Planting is carried out according to the same scheme as picking, but do not forget that the distance between plants should be 20-30 cm.
If your site has clay soil, add peat to it.
Caring for open ground is not difficult; you just need to water the salvia once every ten days, loosen the soil and remove weeds in a timely manner.
Sylvia loves sandy, light soils enriched with humus
Why does the plant dry out?
If you do not properly care for flower seedlings, the leaves will begin to turn yellow and fall off. As a result, the plant may dry out.
The reasons why foliage begins to turn yellow may be the following factors:
- improperly selected soil cover;
- pouring the soil layer;
- too bright lighting or too much sun.
Yellowing of foliage can be affected by a cold draft. Therefore, when growing a flower, you need to monitor temperature indicators. Due to low humidity or lack of moisture, the plant may dry out. To correct the situation, it is necessary to normalize the irrigation regime.
Pest and disease control
Salvia (varieties, photos of flowers will help gardeners choose a suitable place for the plant to protect it from pests) is considered a delicate crop that can be attacked by parasitic insects.
The most common ones are:
- whitefly;
- spider mite;
- slugs with snails;
- aphid;
- thrips.
Whitefly very often settles on vegetable crops. If salvia is planted close to vegetables, it can quickly settle on the flower. As a rule, the pest absorbs the sap of the plant. As a result, the foliage becomes covered with a white coating. To combat the pest, chemical treatment of the crop should be carried out.
Aphids, like whiteflies, drink plant sap. If it is present, the foliage turns yellow, curls and falls off. The flower is covered with sugar grains. The diseased plant will need to be treated with insecticides.
Thrips are small pests that are very difficult to detect. When thrips are present, the foliage curls and dries out. The plant should be treated with insecticides. A spider mite is an insect that sucks life-giving fluid from a flower and covers it with a thin web. Diseased bushes must be removed from the soil layer and burned.
Slugs and snails harm the plant by eating its foliage. If the number of pests is small, it is permissible to collect them manually. If the number is large, you will need to set traps based on fruit juice or beer. The fruity aroma can distract pests from the plant.
Fertilizers for plants
In order for salvia to bloom profusely and luxuriantly, it requires proper nutrition. The plant in the flower bed should be fertilized 7 days after planting. Minerals and growth stimulants must be given as fertilizing.
Mineral mixtures
3 weeks after germination, the plant needs to be fed. To do this, use complex formulations that can be found in flower shops. To activate the growth of the bush, you need to apply Fertika or Agricola fertilizer.
Red and white Sylvia
Abundant flowering is influenced by potassium, which helps absorb phosphorus with water and ensures good development of the crop.
Organic fertilizers
If salvia can form an aerial part, its flowering will be abundant. This requires nitrogen contained in manure, humus or bird droppings. An organic-based infusion should be poured over the transplanted plants, which will help them improve their health in a very short period of time.
Preparation of slurry
To enhance and prolong flowering, you need to use an ash solution. You can make an infusion from banana or potato peels, poured boiling water for 7 days. Watering salvia with eggshell infusion is very useful before the buds open.
Possible difficulties in growing
In rare cases, you may encounter some difficulties in the process of growing flower seedlings. For example, seedlings may not appear for a long period of time. This can happen due to drying out of the swollen seeds. In this case, it is recommended to carry out a new sowing, since the current seeds may germinate, but the seedlings will be diseased.
Hatched sprouts can remain in caps for a long time. If the planting material was not of very high quality, the seed skins will remain on the bush for a long time. You will need to slightly moisten the seedlings and remove the seed skin with a toothpick. Afterwards, the seedlings should be fertilized with complex minerals.
Flowering may not occur or may be delayed because the plant does not have enough light. Because of this, the stems will begin to stretch and the foliage will turn pale. At the beginning of the summer season, it is permissible to transplant the crop to a more illuminated area. If the bush develops well and blooms, but there are very few or no buds, therefore, the earth is oversaturated with nitrogen. To correct the situation, the plant needs to be treated with superphosphate.
Subtleties of caring for salvia seedlings at home
Growing salvia seedlings is a fairly long process. Sprouting from seeds is only half the battle; young seedlings require special care.
Seedlings need good lighting. This is an important condition for growing salvia for seedlings. If there is not enough light, the young plants will begin to stretch, weaken, and ultimately may die. You will never get good seedlings from such seedlings, and salvia will bloom worse. Ideally, there should be at least 12 hours of daylight. In winter and early spring there is little natural light, so it is recommended to use supplementary lighting with phytolamps. You need to add additional lighting in the morning or evening.
Watering should be moderate and regular, as the top layer of soil dries. There is no need to over-moisten the soil, otherwise fungal diseases will not be avoided. Often, flooded plants develop a black leg. If you notice black spots on some seedlings, you can sprinkle them with ash and spill them with Fitosporin solution. Diseased plants along with roots and part of the soil should be removed.
| Important! We water only with settled water at room temperature, you can use slightly warm water. Watering is carried out from a spray bottle or from a watering can with a thin spout under the root or into a tray. |
Photo: Seedlings need additional lighting in winter and early spring.
Use in landscape design, examples
Salvia (varieties, photos of flowers will tell novice plant growers where it is best to place the plant for landscape design) is in most cases used in landscaping. It is often used for making flower beds and ridges, for cultivation on the balcony in flowerpots and pots. Slightly less often, this species is bred in mixborders. However, the flower is in great demand when decorating mixed compositions, as it makes it possible to create bright spots.
For group plantings near stones, Ethiopian salvia is used. They look very nice in mixborders:
- red;
- green;
- meadow;
- oak forest;
- whorled;
- powdery Salvia.
Their inflorescences have different shades of lilac-blue when creating landscape compositions. However, they are unable to produce bright color spots. Compact varieties, for example, dandelion and Salvia Yurisich look very good in mixborders and are recommended for creating rockeries.
The mealy appearance of the flower is suitable for arranging, despite the fact that it is rarely used for cutting. Velvet inflorescences of a blue hue retain their decorative value in water for a long time, and dried ones can become a good material for winter bouquets. The faded whorled and green species of the plant can be used when creating dry compositions.
A lot of salvia is sent to flower beds and flower beds. Its bright, beautiful color can be combined with almost any evergreen and flowering crops. It looks especially unusual with zinnia, petunia, ageratum, lobelia, silver cinneraria and marigolds. Using other flowers and salvia, you can create unusual patterns in your flower beds. If you use an ornamental crop for planting in a container, it can perfectly decorate a balcony, garden flowerpots or summer kitchen.
Description and features of salvia
The salvia flower has been known for a long time; it belongs to the herbaceous shrubs of the Lamiaceae family. Translated from Latin, its name means “medicinal”. In ancient times, some varieties of salvia were planted for medicinal purposes.
More than 900 species of this shrub are known in nature, but not all of them are ornamental plants. Medicinal and spicy varieties are usually called sage, and all others are called salvia.
Ornamental salvia is a perennial shrub with a powerful rhizome, which in Russian latitudes is usually planted as an annual, or more often biennial, plant. It tolerates mild winters well, but dies in harsh climates.
The stems of the shrub grow up to 1.2 m. They are erect, with solid dark green leaves, which are located opposite on the trunk. The leaf blade is darker colored on the outside and has a whitish coating on the inside.
Salvia blooms with small flowers collected in spike-shaped inflorescences. The length of one inflorescence reaches 15-20 cm. The color of the petals can be pink, white, purple or lilac. The bush blooms for a long time.
After flowering, the bush forms a fruit in which the seeds ripen. They are ready for harvest a month after flowering and retain their viability for more than 4 years.
Where to buy and cost of the plant
The flower can be purchased at any flower shop and nursery that specializes in growing garden plants. The cost of salvia seeds varies between 25 rubles. The price for seedlings reaches approximately 290 rubles. and higher.
To successfully cultivate salvia, you do not need to devote much time to the plant. You only need to follow the agrotechnical rules that relate to the regime of watering, loosening and mulching of the soil cover. Flower varieties and their photographs will tell you what fertilizers are best to feed the plant so that it blooms profusely.
