Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => General Gardening => Topic started by: Sleepingpopman on September 22, 2022, 10:14

Title: Salvia, Hot Lips
Post by: Sleepingpopman on September 22, 2022, 10:14
Morning All  :nowink:
We bought A Salvia Hot Lips in the spring of 2021, the label said it can grow to
1mtr x 1mtr which was a perfect size for the space we needed to fill in the border.
The shrub did well that year, it's in full sun all day (as long as it's out,) we just left
it over winter as we wasn't sure if we needed to cut it back but this year it's grown
alot bigger, so much so it's taken over the border. :ohmy:
My question is :- When is the right time to trim it back & how much is safe ?
WE look forward to any comments.  ;)
Keith & Sharon.
Title: Re: Salvia, Hot Lips
Post by: mumofstig on September 22, 2022, 11:37
In a hard winter they can die back, so I'd leave pruning until spring, so you can see what's left alive.
Then trim off all the dead bits and cut what's left back by about half.
Title: Re: Salvia, Hot Lips
Post by: mrs bouquet on October 21, 2022, 12:23
I have Salvias which still look stunning, one is very blue the other mauve.  I want a white one and whilst at a very small and private garden centre I was chatting with the lady whom I know and she said they only had Hot Lips.  We wandered over for a look and whilst some of the plants were as we know them, some were white !!
Is this a mis-label or can this happen and perhaps they will go red later.  Any help please.   Mrs Bouquet
Title: Re: Salvia, Hot Lips
Post by: Oddpod on October 21, 2022, 13:23
I have one of these growing in the border, it is about five feet high now. It is covered in white flowers at the moment, but at various times throughout the year it will have all red or bicolour blooms. I believe it is something to do with the moisture levels and/or temperature which makes it so variable. Definitely a good doer!
Title: Re: Salvia, Hot Lips
Post by: jaydig on October 21, 2022, 16:03
I agree with MoS.  We have had one for some years now and we leave it untouched until spring, when the new green shoots begin to show before pruning it.