Red Salvia coccinea and Indigo Spires
What would Central Texas gardeners do without the many salvias we have? They're a mainstay in my garden. Blues and purples, coral and reds.....they're all welcome here. And....the always important asset....the DEER DON'T LIKE THEM!
The Salvia 'indigo spires' above, came with us from our old garden. It's about ten years old, and still going strong. It should have been cut back hard at the end of July. I'd cut it back in June, and that was too early.
It's a bit too leggy...needs more sun that it gets where it is. It'll be moving soon.
I've been pleased with the Salvia coccinea I planted this year. Sometimes called Scarlet Sage, it's a texas native. It reseeds itself. That's fine with me. I spread them around.
I also have Salvia coccinea coral. It hasn't reseeded like the red....unfortunately.
Mealy Blue Sage, Salvia farinacea, is another native....in blue...
....and white.
Salvia greggii, also known as Atumn sage or Cherry sage, is a great performer.
Evergreen and very drought tolerant.
This red came with us from the old garden.
The pink came with the house.
For fall blooms, Pineapple Sage, Salvia elegans, is a good one.
I really like the spikey red blooms. It makes a nice bush all summer....even though, this is another one I should have pruned back midsummer.
View from master bath window.
Another great fall bloomer, is Mexican Bush Sage, Salvia leucantha.
I like the fuzzy purple spikes.
I have the solid purple, and the purple with white tips. I think I like the all purple best.
It should have been pruned back, too. I think I need to do a better job, next summer.
There will be more of this one planted.
There are many more salvias, and I plan to add more to my garden.
Salvias are dependable bloomers. The bees and hummingbirds love them. And, again...
THE DEER DON'T LIKE THEM!!
What more could you ask.
Happy Gardening...
~~Linda~~
Love all of your Slavia photos! I'm glad you mentioned pruning in July, I wasn't sure when the best time was to prune them. I really like the Coral nymph salvia coccinea, I had one last year but it didn't reseed for me either. I will have to find another plant to buy next spring.
ReplyDeleteLots of nice Salvias in your garden - they certainly add color. And such a great hummingbird attractor.
ReplyDeleteI am glad deer don't like them. I will be putting more Salvia in next year. Your photos are really great!
ReplyDeleteI miss our hummers. I may have mentioned that earlier.
So far, the deer have left the salvia alone. A munch here and there. But, once they learn they don't like it, they leave it alone.
ReplyDeleteThat doesn't mean they won't stomp on it, getting to something else to try out.
I'm moving the big 'Indigo Spires' to another spot...away from a seating area (bees love it), and to more sun.
Thanks to all for dropping by.
Great Salvia post, Linda. I wish they were a titch more hardy. :)
ReplyDeleteYour coral salvia looks very much like my 'Coral Nymph' salvia, which reseeds quite a bit in my garden. I notice it like very well-drained soil though, as it tends to grow in my gravel paths. Lovely salvias - you can't beat them!
ReplyDelete