Growing and Saving the Seed of Salvia (Sage)
Latin name Salvia viridis is an annual flower that produces masses of color, making it a perfect landscape plant.
HISTORY
Native from the Mediterranean to Iran. Long grown as a medicinal herb. An infusion of the leaves has historically been used to treat sore gums.
USES
- Ornamental
- Beds, borders, containers, cottage garden, cut flower garden, pollinator garden
- Visited by a range of bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
- Deer resistant
- Seeds germinate in 7-14 days.
- Start seeds indoor 10-12 weeks before last frost. Press seeds gently into soil but do not cover, as light aids germination.
- Ideal germination temperature is 65-75 F.
- Prefers full sun to part shade.
- Provide well-drained soil; plants do not like excessive moisture.
- Space plants 12-18 inches apart.
PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
- Molds and mildews can be a result of poorly drained soil and water on foliage. To prevent this, provide well-drained, dry soil.
- If slugs are an issue, be sure to sprinkle diatomaceous earth or crushed eggshells around the base of the plant.
- Salvia readily self seeds in the garden, but you can also save seeds.
- Several nutlets are borne at the base of flowers. Each nutlet contains a single seed.
- Allow nutlets to dry, and harvest them before they drop to the ground.
