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| Here in Zone 7 May Night is just about finishing it's first bloom cycle. A very warm March pushed an earlier bloom time. Once the first flowering is done, how far down do I cut the salvia to get a second flowering?
1. There are three sets of lateral leaves on each stem. Should I cut the stem down to the third set of leaves that's closest to the ground?
In my early gardening years I recall cutting back a perennial virtually to the ground, leaving just a few leaves. I recall being surprised when a whole new plant grew back. It may have been beginners luck or the right thing to do. Don't recall which perennial it was, but I don't want to take a chance with all my May Night plants and lose them. I'd sure appreciate your advice. Thanks much. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by Bumblebeez z7b Seneca SC (My Page) on Fri, May 18, 12 at 17:37
| I don't think it matters. I used to have a whole bunch and took a trimmer to them after bloom. They rebloomed just fine. However, if you have time and patience, cut them back to the set of leaves below the bloom. There are probably buds formed there already. |
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- Posted by summerstar Z7VA (My Page) on Fri, May 18, 12 at 17:41
| Not all the way to the ground then . . . ??? |
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- Posted by duluthinbloomz4 zone 4a (My Page) on Fri, May 18, 12 at 18:18
| I wouldn't cut them to the ground - not here anyway since we have a shorter growing season than you. I do cut them back anywhere reasonable below the old bloom and get a healthy second flush of flowering. Once established, they're pretty resiliant plants. |
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| I would probably not cut foliage back all the way, as it might weaken the plants to defoliate them like that. Although maybe it would work? Mine always look great with the first flush of blooms, but have never gotten a decent rebloom, whether I sheared it, carefully deadheaded, or left the seedheads on (I actually kinda like the look of the seed heads on some perennial salvia, including this one). Also the foliage always looks ratty by the end of the summer. It is a durable perennial, because I bought mine in 2005 and they are still going strong. Also the voles haven't touched it, while they decimated the Phlox, Sedum, Echinacea, etc. around them. That is a plus! |
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