From spring to summer the coinage , sclarea bloom in cream and lilac to pink or low flowers 1 - 1/4 inches long stalk at the oddment of the stem with spectacular lilac bracts . This haired perennial or biennial has irregularly toothed egg - shaped green leaf . Salvia can be planted in a sunny border , in a meadow or used for bedding and container planting . They get well in fertile , humus and moist but well - drained soil .
Google Plant Images : sink in here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
Watering
Planting
A calendar week to 10 24-hour interval before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting site to better fertility and increase piss retention and drainage . If dirt report is weak , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grime is sand or stiff , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the unspoiled ; shape deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 in mystifying for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been give . How - to : Planting ShrubsDig a hole twice the size of the root ball and deep enough to set at the same level the shrub was in the container . If soil is poor , dig hole out even wider and fill with a mixture half original soil and half compost or grease amendment .
cautiously remove bush from container and gently freestanding roots . Position in heart and soul of hole , best side face up forward . Fill in with original soil or an rectify assortment if needed as line above . For gravid shrubs , progress a water supply well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If the plant is balled - and - burlapped , remove fixing and fold back the top of natural burlap , tucking it down into muddle , after you ’ve positioned shrub . Make certain that all gunny is buried so that it wo n’t wick H2O away from rootball during hot , dry period . If man-made gunny , remove if potential . If not potential , bring down away or make slits to allow for roots to develop into the new soil . For larger shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulch and irrigate well .
If shrub is au naturel - root , look for a discolouration somewhere near the base ; this gull is likely where the grime line was . If grime is too sandlike or too clayey , add organic matter . This will help with both drainage and body of water holding capacity . Fill dirt , firming just enough to plunk for shrub . Finish by mulch and irrigate well . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is niggling or no dirt to plant in , or for industrial plant that necessitate a grease type not found in the garden or when stain drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar cultural prerequisite . take a container that is rich and declamatory enough to allow root ontogeny and growth as well as relative counterbalance between the in full develop plant and the container . Plant large containers in the spot you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain holes . A mesh screen , broken clay pile pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter grade over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting stain you pick out should be an appropriate intermixture for the plant life you have chosen . Quality dirt ( or ground - less medias ) steep wet pronto and equally when wet . If water run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as honest as you believe .
Prior to filling a container with dirt , wet potting filth in the bag or post in a tub or garden cart so that it is equally moist . satisfy container about midway full or to a grade that will take into account plant , when planted , to be just below the rim of the sens . Rootballs should be level with ground line when projection is utter . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by considering sun and tad through the day , exposure , H2O prerequisite , climate , stain make-up , seasonal color desire , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The best times to constitute are spring and tumble , when soil is feasible and out of danger of frost . Fall planting have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the springtime . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike sozzled conditions or for colder area , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more established sized plant life .
To plant container - mature industrial plant : Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between . Water the industrial plant thoroughly and let the supererogatory weewee drain before carefully absent from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant in the jam , working soil around the roots as you fill . If the plant life is exceedingly root bind , separate roots with digit . A few twat made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be kept to a lower limit . keep on filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from lineal sun until stable .
To plant marginal - root industrial plant : Plant as presently as potential after leverage . machinate worthy planting hollow , spread root and put to work stain among roots as you fill up in . Water well and protect from lineal sun until stable .
To plant seedlings : A figure of perennials produce self - seed seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting holes , space appropriately for plant development . Gently lift the seedling and as much surrounding ground as potential with your garden trowel , and replant it like a shot , firm ground with fingertip and water supply well . Shade from lineal sunshine and water on a regular basis until stable .
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is see in most soils and embark the plant through the roots or the root at grunge level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your problem , lessen watering . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are droop ) , remove it . If your industrial plant is in a container , chuck out the soil too . Wash the toilet with a 1 part bleach to 9 part water root . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . refer a professional person for a legal recommendation of what fungicide to use . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated up houses ) . Spider mites give with piercing oral cavity parts , which cause plants to appear icteric and stippled . folio driblet and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer tinge can manifold quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 days . They also produce a vane which can cover infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep green goddess down and move out infested plants . wry air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plant are regularly watered , especially those preferring mellow humidity such as tropicals , citrus , or tomatoes . Always check unexampled plant prior to bestow them home from the garden center or nursery . Take vantage of natural enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and come after all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the bottom of the leaves as that is where wanderer mites generally go . Pest : Fungus Gnats and ShorefliesFungus GnatsorShore fliesare small pesky flies which can often be a nuisance inside the habitation . About the size of yield flies , they can be seen running on the grunge surface of pots . They seem to favor wet soil conditions and may thrive in mixes containing hardwood bark or manure . While the dirt ball - same larvae can induce theme harm and adult can transmit plant disease , they seldom cause serious flora harm .
Possible controls : avoid over - watering grunge . Another option : use pronounce insecticidal drenches against the juvenile stages . grownup can be hold in with recommended insecticide , as well . further natural enemies such as parasitic nematode worm in the garden . gadfly : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - livid , soft - bodied insects that produce a waxy powdery get over . They have piercing / sucking mouth share that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften wait like small composition of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaf and stems branch . They attack a wide range of a function of plant life . The vernal incline to move around until they regain a suitable feeding spot , then they hang out in settlement and feed . mealybug can undermine a flora leading to yellow leaf and leaf drop . They also get a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can head to an untempting inglorious airfoil fungal growing call up sooty mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension billet in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance good word . Encourage natural enemies such as lady beetles in the garden to serve reduce universe levels of mealy bugs . cuss : AphidsAphids are modest , soft - bodied , slow - go insects that suck fluid from plants . Aphidscome in many colors , ranging from unripe to brown to black , and they may have wing . They attack a all-embracing kitchen range of plant species causing stunting , deformed leaves and buds . They can beam harmful plant virus with their pierce / sucking mouthparts . Aphids , generally , are only a pain , since it takes many of them to make serious industrial plant damage . However aphid do produce a odorous substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can direct to an untempting fateful surface growth called coal-black mould .
Aphids can increase promptly in numbers and each female person can produce up to 250 bouncy nymphs in the track of a calendar month without mating . Aphids often appear when the environment changes - spring & gloam . They ’re often massed at the bakshis of branch feeding on succulent tissue . aphid are draw to the color yellow and will often hitchhike on yellow wear .
Prevention and Control : Keep locoweed to an absolute lower limit , especially around desirable plants . On pabulum , wash off infect area of plant . Lady bug and lacewing fly will bung on aphids in the garden . There are various products - organic and inorganic - that can be used to curb aphid . Seek the recommendation of a professional and follow all recording label procedures to a tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaves , stems and spent efflorescence junk . Rust often look as little , hopeful orangish , yellow , or browned pustule on the underside of leave . If touched , it will leave a colored fleck of spore on the finger . due to kingdom Fungi and circularise by splashing water or rain , rust fungus is worse when atmospheric condition is damp .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant variety and provide maximal air circulation . scavenge up all debris , especially around plants that have had a trouble . Do not irrigate from overhead and water only during the day so that plants will have enough prison term to dry before night . Apply a antifungal labeled for rust fungus on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis normally found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or enough light . job are worse where nights are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or browned , curl up , and set down off . New foliage come forth crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant varieties and space plant in good order so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the foliage . This is paramount for rose wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antifungal allot to recording label direction before problem becomes grave and follow focus on the dot , not miss any required handling . Sanitation is a must - pick up and absent all foliage , bloom , or detritus in the fall and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spot are triggered by fungus or bacteria . Brown or calamitous spots and plot may be either ragged or rotary , with a water soaked or yellow - edge appearing . insect , rain , dirty garden tools , or even multitude can help its counterpane .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the plant is dry . Leaves that compile around the base of the industrial plant should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be organize at soil level . For fungal leaf touch , use a recommended fungicide allot to label directions .
