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Salvia is perhaps the most common and popular flower, which is preferred by most flower growers. After all, this unpretentious plant will decorate any flower bed. Moreover, it can be used as a component when creating landscape compositions. And some types of Salvia flowers, whose height is 25-40 cm, are great for planting along garden paths.
You can grow Salvia not only in flower beds, but also in flowerpots, small boxes and flower pots. But this flower can not only decorate your garden or please the eye. Some species of this plant have medicinal properties.
Who is the mysterious Salvia
Salvia has a second name – Sage. And this medicinal plant is known to many. The flower belongs to the Lamiaceae (Lyasnotkovye) family. Representatives of this genus grow on almost all continents except Australia.
Translated from the Latin “Salvia” means “promoting health” or “to be healthy.” Almost all parts of this flower in one way or another have healing properties. But it is worth mentioning that at the moment there is a clear limitation.
Sage is an herb and spice that grows in the wild. Salvia, which will be discussed in this article, is an ornamental flower.
Salvia flowers were brought to Europe only in the XNUMXth century, when the era of a wholesale horticultural and floricultural boom began. At the moment, there are three types of this plant – perennials, biennials and annuals. Flowers related to perennial and biennial, grow mainly in countries with a warm, temperate climate.
In Our Country, most often only annual plants can be found, since in severe winter frosts the shrub simply freezes.
Many flower growers are attracted by the rather long flowering period in Salvia flowers. Special skills and efforts are not required when growing, and this beauty blooms from June to autumn frosts.
Salvia flowers are popular with many gardeners because of their versatility:
- Unpretentious in cultivation and care;
- They can be used both as beautiful flowers for a flower bed, and as a component in landscape design;
- Propagated by seeds and cuttings;
- You can harvest your own seeds
- Green bushes, strewn with bright inflorescences, stand until frost, which is of great importance for flower growers.
At the moment, a little more than 900 varieties of plants belonging to the genus “Salvia” are known. Breeders have bred more than 300 new varieties of Salvia flowers. The most colorful representatives of the family – Brilliant or Sparkling – adorn the flower beds and flower beds of many flower growers.
Description of the plant
Annual representatives of this genus grow up to 25-70 cm high. These parameters depend on the variety and growing conditions. But perennial or biennial varieties of Salvia flowers can reach 120-130 cm in height, forming lush bushes.
Thanks to the work of breeders, Salvia is replete with a variety of colors: red, white, purple, purple, pink shades adorn the gardens and flower beds of avid amateur flower growers.
The stems of Salvia flowers are mostly erect, tetrahedral. Lush bushes adorn whole or pinnately dissected leaves, which are arranged in pairs on small petioles. In most plants, the upper side of the leaf plate is several shades darker than the lower side.
Miniature flowers are collected in the upper part of the stem in paniculate or complex spicate inflorescences. Their length ranges from 15-25 cm.
In place of a wilted bud, immediately after flowering, 4 chambers with seeds are formed. The seed chambers ripen in a month. Seed germination persists for five years.
Growing Salvia flowers from seed is a very simple process. It is for this reason that this plant is considered universal, because it can be grown both in the south of Our Country and in the northern regions with a harsh climate.
Some varieties
Despite the variety of varieties, most often in garden plots you can find mainly two types of Salvia flowers: Brilliant and Bright Red.
Salvia shining – compact bushes up to 70-80 cm in height. The ovate leaves are dark green. The underside of the leaf plate is light green. Large flowers of irregular shape are collected in inflorescences, the length of which is up to 25 cm. The color scheme is represented by a variety of shades: rich red, purple, white, pink. Flowering is long – from June to late September – early October. Popular varieties: “Spark”, “Fire Star”, “Salvador”, “Red Arrows”.
Salvia bright red – compact shrub up to 70 cm high. Bushes are densely leafy. The inflorescences are quite large – up to 35 cm. Bright red flowers adorn the flower garden from July to October. Bright representatives of this species are Sherry Blossom and Lady in Red.
Below are the most unique and beautiful photos of Salvia flowers.
Salvia Reddy White Surprise’
Salvia Reddy White
Salvia Reddy Lavender
Salvia Reddy Mix
Glittering Dwarf red and white
Reddy Salman
Raspberry salute
Rio
Horminum Marble Gate
Dubravnaya
Blue Monarch
Thanks to a wide range, you can realize your wildest dreams and create various compositions. After all, this plant goes well with many flowers.
Look at the photo how elegantly Salvia looks surrounded by other flowers in a flower bed
The author of the video will tell you about some varieties and types of Salvia:
How to grow a good seedling
There are two ways to propagate Salvia flowers – from seeds and vegetatively. The first method is used for growing annual and biennial flowers. Biennials begin to bloom only in the second year. But by dividing the bush and cuttings, only perennial Salvia can be propagated.
Before growing Salvia from seeds, it is important to determine the timing of sowing, growing methods, as well as the characteristics and preferences of a particular flower variety.
Determine the right time to sow
Sowing time depends on the growing method you choose.
In a seedless way, you can grow flowers in regions with a warm climate. In this case, Salvia seeds are planted in autumn or early spring. But it is worth considering that not all varieties can endure winter frosts without loss. Often, the seeds freeze out, and during the return, spring frosts, young, immature shoots most often die. Therefore, preference should still be given to the seedling method of growing Salvia from seeds.
Some varieties of flowers, such as Brilliant or Sparkling, can be grown exclusively in seedlings. Sowing Salvia flowers for seedlings is carried out from the beginning of February to the beginning of March, depending on the region and the timing of transplanting into open ground.
In warm areas, flowers can be sown already in early to mid-February. But in the northern regions, in the Urals, in Siberia, where spring comes a few weeks later, the right time to plant Salvia for seedlings comes no earlier than the end of February – the beginning of March.
It is possible to sow flowers, even in a seedling, even in a seedless way, not only with seeds, but also with granules. Treated seed material, covered with a small amount of mineral fertilizers, germinates a few days later than ordinary seeds. But the convenience of the granules has already been appreciated by most flower growers.
Let’s start landing
Salvia seeds are sown superficially. This means that it is advisable to choose a shallow container for seedlings. Plastic molds 7-10 cm high are perfect for this purpose. Make small holes at the bottom of each container to drain excess water.
The soil for growing seedlings should be loose, fertile. If necessary, use ready-made soil mixtures.
Store-bought Salvia flower seeds do not need pre-treatment before sowing. But self-harvested seed material should still be pre-soaked in a light pink solution of potassium permanganate for 4-5 hours.
The algorithm of actions when planting Salvia flower seeds for seedlings is as follows:
- lay a drainage layer 1-1,5 cm thick on the bottom of the container;
- fill containers with earth 3/4;
- place the seeds on the surface at a distance of 1-1,5 cm from each other;
- lightly sprinkle the plantings with soil. Seeds should be barely covered with earth, no more than 2 mm;
- place the containers in the tray. It is better to water Salvia with a spray bottle, slightly irrigating the top layer;
- put the seedlings in a warm, bright place.
Check plantings daily. When the soil dries up, water the seedlings in a timely manner. Under no circumstances should seedlings be flooded. It is enough to keep it moist.
When growing Salvia flowers from seeds, it must be remembered that in order to obtain strong, healthy seedlings, it is important to provide sufficient daily lighting for plantings. If there is not enough sunlight, and your seedlings have faded and begun to stretch, provide them with additional illumination with a fitolamp or fluorescent lamp.
The air temperature in the room when growing seedlings of Salvia should be within + 22˚С + 25˚С. Make sure that direct sunlight does not fall on your plantings.
Seedlings appear 2-3 weeks after sowing.
The author of the video clip will share with you the secrets of planting Salvia seeds for seedlings:
Seedling of seedlings
It is necessary to dive seedlings of Salvia flowers twice, in the phase of 2-3 true leaves, and later – after 3-4 weeks. Seedlings can be planted both in boxes for growing seedlings, and in separate containers. It is important that the height of the container is at least 15-20 cm for the formation and growth of a full-fledged root system.
The soil for picking in composition should be as close as possible to the soil in which Salvia seedlings were grown. Picking flowers is not much different from planting other plants. There are just a few tips to keep in mind when diving:
- when transplanting seedlings into boxes or volumetric containers, the distance between young shoots should be at least 5-7 cm;
- seedlings need to be deepened by cotyledon leaves;
- it is desirable to make a secondary pick in separate cups or pots with a diameter of at least 10-12 cm;
- after the appearance of 4-5 true leaves, the top must be pinched so that the future Salvia bushes are thicker, as well as for abundant flowering;
- hardening seedlings should begin 2-3 weeks before the intended landing in open ground.
It is undesirable to transplant flowers into a flower bed without hardening. Plants have not yet grown stronger and will not be able to survive even with slight drops in temperature.
After picking, it is important to water the seedlings of Salvia flowers on time. If desired, you can feed 1-2 times with mineral fertilizers.
How to dive seedlings correctly, the author of the video will show you:
Transplanted into open ground
Before transplanting Salvia seedlings into open ground, you need to prepare the site. Salvia flowers grow well and bloom in sunny, open places, protected from gusty winds. The only exception is Salvia Sticky – she feels good both in the sun and in partial shade.
Sandy, light and fertile soil is ideal for flowers. It is important that water does not accumulate and does not stagnate in the beds.
When determining the timing when it is possible to plant Salvia seedlings in open ground, one must first of all focus on air temperature. When the thermometer is firmly established at + 18˚С + 22˚С, it’s time to start transplanting.
Depending on the region, these terms occur on average in the second half of May – early June.
When transplanting Salvia flowers in open ground, it is advisable to adhere to the following recommendations:
- The soil in the flower garden must be prepared in advance, 5-7 days before transplantation. Add some sand to the soil – 3 kg per m², as well as humus or peat in the amount of 5-7 kg per m².
- Seedlings should be transplanted early in the morning or late in the evening. If the weather turned out to be hot, take care of shading the landings in the next 2-4 days.
- Water the seedlings of Salvia flowers the day before the planned transplant. Too dry or waterlogged soil can cause injury to the root system, which subsequently slows down rooting.
- Make landing holes at a distance of 25-30 cm, pour each one abundantly with warm, settled water.
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- Salvia flowers should be planted using the transshipment method. In this case, the seedlings are carefully removed from the boxes or glasses and transferred to the planting pits along with a clod of earth. Fill in the voids in the planting hole, lightly compact the soil around the plants.
Further care for Salvia involves the implementation of standard procedures:
- Timely watering;
- Weeding;
- top dressing;
- Loosening.
If there is a threat of spring, return frosts, be sure to cover the flower garden with lutrasil or polyethylene. Annual Salvia does not have good frost resistance, and may die.
You need to water the flowers as the topsoil dries up and preferably in the evening. Remember that this plant does not tolerate excessively wet soil.
At least 3-4 times a month, the soil in the flower bed needs to be loosened to provide fresh air access to the root system.
You need to feed Salvia with mineral complex fertilizers twice during the summer. The first time – a week after transplanting into open ground, the second – during the formation of inflorescences.
For those varieties of Salvia that grow more than 1 m in height, you will need to build a small support.
Reproduction by cuttings
When propagating Salvia flowers using cuttings, only young shoots 5-10 cm long are used. Cut the branches with a sharp knife or scissors just below the node. Put the shoots in the water with the addition of Kornevin. Root formation occurs within 2-3 weeks.
When the roots reach a length of 1-2 cm, they can be transplanted into the ground, into small pots with a diameter of at least 10 cm. The optimum air temperature for growing plants should be at + 20˚С + 22˚С.
Flowers need to be regularly watered and sprayed. At the end of May – beginning of June, the ideal time comes when it is time to plant Salvia in open ground. But first it needs to be hardened, and only then planted in the garden.
Perennial flowers
Salvia perennial requires more attention. In addition to traditional care work, she needs regular shaping pruning. Pruning is carried out at least 1 time per month, so that the bushes are lush, and solitary shoots do not stretch out and do not spoil the excellent view.
After withering, all inflorescences are removed from the bush. In autumn, a perennial plant needs mandatory pruning of old, lignified branches. All damaged and diseased shoots are also cut off.
After pruning, the soil under the bush needs to be mulched, and the bush should be prepared for winter: cover with spruce branches and dry foliage.
Salvia perennial grows very quickly. Therefore, every 5-7 years you need to rejuvenate the shrub.
Diseases and pests
Almost all varieties of Salvia flowers, both ordinary and decorative, are highly resistant to many diseases. Therefore, flowers rarely get sick. If flowers are affected by fungal diseases, stop watering for a few days and treat the plants with antifungal drugs.
However, insect pests often choose lush, large bushes as a haven. Thrips, whiteflies, mites, aphids can settle in a flower bed. Slugs and snails love the delicate foliage.
Snails and slugs must be removed manually. You can collect pests, or you can arrange traps or baits for them.
Other insects will have to be fought exclusively with insecticides. During active insect control, it is advisable to limit watering.
Conclusion
Growing Salvia from seeds is a fairly simple and fun process. And in a few months your flower garden will bloom with bright colors. Bushes do not lose their shape and do not fall apart for a long time, and unique flowers delight for a long period, which allows you to create an infinite number of compositions and combinations with other plants.