Salvias

How to grow salvias in a garden

From Seed:

1. Sow seeds into trays of Yates Seed Raising Mix. Gently press down and lightly water with a fine mist spray.
2. Water gently and keep moist through germination period.
3. While the seeds are germinating, choose a sunny spot in the garden with well drained soil and dig in some Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser before planting.
4. Once the seedlings have grown at least 5 cm, transplant seedlings into your prepared garden bed, ensure the seedlings are well spaced – at least 20-30 cm apart. Water in well.
5. Mulch with an organic mulch, such as bark chips, sugar cane or pea straw.
6. Feed every 1 to 2 weeks with Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

Established plants:

1. Choose a sunny spot in the garden with well drained soil. Enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.
2. Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.
3. Position in hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down.  Form a raised or doughnut shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps keep water where it's needed.  Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.
4. Feed every 1 to 2 weeks with Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.
   
    

How to salvias grow in a pot

From seed:

1. Choose a pot at least 200 mm wide and deep. Position in full sun.
2. Fill the chosen pots with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter. 
3. Sow the seeds directly into the pot by pressing them lightly into the mix and water well. 
4. Water gently and keep moist through germination period.
5. Feed every 1 to 2 weeks with Feed every 1 to 2 weeks with Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

Established plants:

1. Choose a pot at least 200 mm wide and deep. Position in full sun.
2. Fill the chosen pots with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter. 
3. Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots. 
4. Position in hole and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.
5. Feed every 1 to 2 weeks with Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

Growing tips

• Water at the base of the plant to avoid risk of disease.
  
• Salvias recover well from a hard prune which is best done in late winter. 
• Cut back after flushes of flowers to encourage new growth.
• Once established, Salvias require little water and prefer the warmer dry climates.
• Great bee and butterfly attracting flowers.
• Perennial varieties are available in your local nursery or hardware store.
• Great for use around swimming pools.