Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Salvia Caradonna

Options
  • 24-10-2018 7:59pm
    #1
    jomalone14
    Registered Users Posts: 283 ✭✭


    Hi to all

    I planted a bed full of Salvia Caradonna earlier this year. It's still in flower (only just) but it's got quite overgrown looking.

    Does it die back naturally? Do I cut it back now? If so, how far down?

    TIA


Comments

  • Options
    #2
    looksee
    Registered Users Posts: 28,435 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    Yes, its a herbaceous plant and that is pretty much what they do this time of year. Earlier in the year you would cut the flowering stems down to the next ready-to-flower sideshoots. Now though I suggest you just clip out the flowering stems. If it were me I would take a shears to it and take of any straggly looking top leaf growth too, but I am a member of the hack em down school of plant care so you don't have to take that suggestion on board!


  • Options
    #3
    jomalone14
    Registered Users Posts: 283 ✭✭jomalone14


    looksee wrote: »
    Yes, its a herbaceous plant and that is pretty much what they do this time of year. Earlier in the year you would cut the flowering stems down to the next ready-to-flower sideshoots. Now though I suggest you just clip out the flowering stems. If it were me I would take a shears to it and take of any straggly looking top leaf growth too, but I am a member of the hack em down school of plant care so you don't have to take that suggestion on board!


    Thanks for the reply! I deadheaded the blooms down to the next side shoots and that's what kept it blooming all summer.

    I'm a bit of a hacker myself. I'm very tempted to take them down to about 6 inches from the ground but I don't want to do damage to the plants at the risk of ruining them for next year......decisions decisions......


  • Options
    #4
    looksee
    Registered Users Posts: 28,435 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    No, just go with the taking out the flowering stems till you get the feel of them, you will know next spring if they need a bit of leaf tidying.


  • Options
    #5
    jomalone14
    Registered Users Posts: 283 ✭✭jomalone14


    looksee wrote: »
    No, just go with the taking out the flowering stems till you get the feel of them, you will know next spring if they need a bit of leaf tidying.[/QUOTE

    Thanks for this. Will go easy as you suggest. I guess the leaves on the stems below the flowers will protect the plant from winter frosts. They're so scraggly that I think they will need a major shave in the spring.

    Thanks for the advice.


  • Options
    #6
    uck51js9zml2yt
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,268 ✭✭✭✭uck51js9zml2yt


    The flowers of salvia when dried make fantastic tea.


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #7
    jomalone14
    Registered Users Posts: 283 ✭✭jomalone14


    Armando Polite Dumpster wrote: »
    The flowers of salvia when dried make fantastic tea.

    I didn't know that.....worth a try, for sure!


  • Options
    #8
    uck51js9zml2yt
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,268 ✭✭✭✭uck51js9zml2yt


    jomalone14 wrote: »
    I didn't know that.....worth a try, for sure!

    Very popular in eastern Europe. Only available in pharmacy.


  • Options
    #9
    looksee
    Registered Users Posts: 28,435 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    There is of course a difference between fresh flowers picked and dried, and dead yokes that have dried on the stem :D


  • Options
    #10
    uck51js9zml2yt
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,268 ✭✭✭✭uck51js9zml2yt


    looksee wrote: »
    There is of course a difference between fresh flowers picked and dried, and dead yokes that have dried on the stem :D

    Very important point :)


  • Options
    #11
    jomalone14
    Registered Users Posts: 283 ✭✭jomalone14


    Armando Polite Dumpster wrote: »
    Very important point :)
    looksee wrote: »
    There is of course a difference between fresh flowers picked and dried, and dead yokes that have dried on the stem :D

    Ha ha I'll have to wait til next year for my salvia cuppa so :D


  • Advertisement
Advertisement