sage
Salvia transsylvanica
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Minimum
Hardiness Zone:
4 - 7
Flowers:
Flowers
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Leaf:
Yes
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Low
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
pruning
Pruning Sage (Salvia transsylvanica) is best done in late winter or early spring (March/April) before the plant begins to put out new growth. Pruning should involve removing spent blooms, dead or unhealthy stems, and lightly shaping the shrub if desired. Sage should be pruned back to the base of the stems for rejuvenation. Pruning should be kept light, as removing too much of the foliage can cause the plant to become stressed and hinder its flowering potential, but should cut back enough to promote new growth.
sunlight
Sage (Salvia transsylvanica) prefers full sun or partial shade. In hot climates, it's best to provide some shade during the hottest part of the day (between 10am and 4pm). Ideally, sage should get 6-8 hours of sunlight per day, with the sun highest in the sky for 4 to 5 hours. For the best foliage and bloom production, make sure your sage gets the needed sunlight during the spring and summer months. In fall and winter, sunlight needs decrease as days get shorter.
watering
Sage (Salvia transsylvanica) should be watered regularly to ensure it is getting enough moisture. Depending on the weather and soil type, this may mean watering every 2 to 3 days. During hot, dry spells, more frequent watering may be required. When watering, it is best to give the plant a thorough soaking until water runs through the drainage holes in the pot. Allow the top inch or 2 of soil to dry out before watering again. Over-watering can cause root rot, so it is important to not let the soil become water-logged.
Lantana, or Lantana camara, is a beautiful and popular flower choice for Zone 9 gardens. This evergreen shrub produces vibrant clusters of purple, pink, orange, yellow, or white flowers and is often used as both a perennial and annual in warmer climates. Lantana is considered deer-resistant and drought-tolerant, making it a great choice for novice gardeners and those with dry gardens. Lantana does best when it receives full sunlight, regular water, and fertilizer. It is generally a low-maintenance plant, and is able to tolerate both high and low temperatures. Homeowners in Zone 9 can also enjoy lantana in a number of ways – it can be used as a border along pathways or gardens, as a ground cover, or in containers. Lantana is also known to attract butterflies and hummingbirds, making it an ideal choice for the environmentally conscious gardener. Pruning is necessary to keep lantana tidy, with it generally done around early summer. As a tropical species, lantana will die back to the ground when temperatures drop to freezing; however, it will typically bloom again in the spring.
