Salvia - Great Deer-Resistant Annual

Planted in the spring, it performs well all summer long until the first freeze. I must say, that's a lot of carefree bang-for- your-buck!

Since this great annual is easily found in garden centers, so it's easy to buy. Look for the variety 'Victorian Blue' which won the Mississippi Medallion Blue Ribbon Award in 1998.

By winning this award, this means that the plant is super easy. Below are some facts about what it takes to win this award.

In order to win the blue ribbon award, plants must:

• Perform the same way each year.
• Be well adjusted to the southern environment, including heat and humidity.
• Have a growing season of at least 5 to 6 months
• Must have a proven record of good performance for several years
• Must bloom continuously for a minimum of 5 to 6 months (except for cacti, bromelaids, and plants used primarily for leaf color.)
• Need water, at the most, once or twice a week after they are established.

Tip Be sure to get the annual variety, because there is also a perennial variety which is great, but they can get four feet tall and need to be planted in the back of a garden, rather than in the front border.

Growing Salvia

Light: Light shade to full sun. They love a little afternoon shade here in the Mid-South.

Water: Water once a week once established, depending on how much sun it gets each day.

Soil: If planting in the garden, any fertile, well-drained soil that has been enriched with organic matter is good.

Fertilize: with a slow release fertilizer in the spring when planted.

Propagation: Seeds or cuttings.

Pest Problems: None

Plant: Spring (or even into the summer if your willing to water)

Trimming: Dead-heading increases bloom time.

I know you will enjoy growing this annual. You may enjoy the video I put together for you below.

Growing Salvia - Part I

Companion plants such as lantana, coneflower, and yarrow are great plants to grow along side it. The following video is Part II gives you some more options.

Salvia-Part II-Companion Plants

Research for this page was from a fantastic book that will help you learn what plants do well in zones 6, 7, and 8. We agree with all of there suggestions. This book (which is cheaper at Amazon) will save you lots of time and money. It's entitled Easy Gardens for the South. Be sure and check it out here.

For More Information:

Drought Resistant Annuals

Annuals for full sun

Annuals for cut flowers

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