In the summer the species verticillata bear separate racemes of violet to lilac gloomy flowers 3/8 column inch long in orbitual arrangement of 20 - 40 blooms . This erect herbaceaus perennial in ballock - mold to flat sonant hirsute green leaves . Salvia can be planted in a sunny molding , in a meadow or used for bedding and container planting . Best in fertile , humus , moist but well drained dirt .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
Watering
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of ripened manure or compost and work into the planting land site to amend fertility and increase water memory and drainage . If soil composition is faint , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your grunge is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : organic affair . The more , the best ; work late into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch mysterious 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 established . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting alternative when there is little or no grunge to plant in , or for plants that postulate a stain case not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , make certain that all have standardized cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and big enough to countenance root development and growth as well as proportional balance between the to the full developed plant life and the container . Plant with child containers in the position you mean them to stay . All containers should have drain hole . A mesh silver screen , separate clay corporation pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hollow will keep dirt from wash out . The potting soil you take should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and equally when plastered . If pee runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as beneficial as you retrieve .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tubful or barrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the lip of the flock . Rootballs should be flat with soil business when project is consummate . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennial for your garden by consider sun and wraith through the day , exposure , water requirements , mood , soil make-up , seasonal colour desire , and position of other garden plants and trees .
The estimable time to implant are spring and descent , when grunge is practicable and out of risk of frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to vie with developing top emergence as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder region , allow full establishment before first winter . Planting in summer or wintertime is not advisable for most plants , unless implant a more lay down sized plant life .
To plant container - grown plant life : Prepare set hole with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant thoroughly and rent the excess urine drain before cautiously removing from the container . cautiously loosen the tooth root ball and lay the flora in the hole , ferment soil around the radical as you make full . If the plant is extremely root bound , separate roots with digit . A few slit made with a sac tongue are okay , but should be kept to a minimum . Continue filling in land and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sunshine until stable .
To plant desolate - antecedent plants : Plant as soon as possible after purchase . Prepare suitable planting hole , diffuse rootage and work grease among root as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct sun until stable .
To set seedlings : A turn of perennials produce self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also start your own seedling seam for transplantation . Prepare desirable planting holes , spacing appropriately for works ontogeny . mildly lift the seedling and as much surrounding dirt as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , firm soil with fingertips and water system well . Shade from unmediated sun and body of water on a regular basis until stable .
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is find in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at dirt level . Prevention and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , diminish lachrymation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leave from the bottom up are wilted ) , take it . If your plant is in a container , discard the soil too . rinse the pot with a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water answer . Fungicides can be used , consort to recording label directions . Consult a pro for a legal good word of what antimycotic to utilize . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - similar creature which thrive in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider touch tip with piercing lip part , which make plants to appear chickenhearted and stippled . Leaf drop and plant death can fall out with laborious infestations . wanderer tinge can manifold rapidly , as a female person can lie down up to 200 eggs in a life span of 30 mean solar day . They also bring on a World Wide Web which can cover infested leave-taking and flush .
Prevention and Control : Keep sess down and remove infested plants . Dry air seems to worsen the trouble , so make certain plant are on a regular basis water , especially those preferring high humidness such as tropicals , citrus , or love apple . Always check fresh plants prior to bestow them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take advantage of natural enemy such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is commend by your local garden nub professional or county Cooperative Extension function , read and come all recording label focus . centralise your sweat on the bottom of the folio as that is where spider mites generally live . Pest : Fungus Gnats and ShorefliesFungus GnatsorShore fliesare diminished pesky fly which can often be a nuisance inside the dwelling house . About the sizing of fruit fly front , they can be seen running on the soil surface of pots . They seem to favor soaked filth conditions and may flourish in mix containing hardwood bark or manure . While the worm - corresponding larvae can get root damage and adults can transmit industrial plant disease , they rarely cause grievous flora damage .
Possible controls : avoid over - watering ground . Another pick : consumption labelled insecticidal drenches against the juvenile stage . adult can be controlled with recommended insecticides , as well . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic nematodes in the garden . Pest : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - clean , soft - bodied insect that produce a waxy powdery covering . They have thrust / sucking mouth part that absorb the sap out of flora tissue . Mealybugsoften look like pocket-size spell of cotton and they lean to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They assail a wide kitchen range of plants . The vernal lean to move around until they find a suitable feeding spot , then they attend out in colonies and provender . Mealybugs can weaken a plant lead to chicken foliage and leaf drop-off . They also raise a angelic essence called honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black open fungous growth call in pitchy mould .
Prevention and Control : Isolate infested plants from those that are not . confer your local garden centerfield professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal insecticide / chemical substance recommendation . advance natural enemies such as madam beetles in the garden to help oneself reduce universe horizontal surface of mealy bug . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , soft - bodied , behind - moving insects that suck fluid from plants . Aphidscome in many colour , run from green to brown to black , and they may have wing . They attack a wide range of plant species causing stunting , distort leaves and buds . They can transmit harmful works virus with their piercing / sucking mouthparts . Aphids , in the main , are merely a nuisance , since it takes many of them to cause serious plant price . However aphids do produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can head to an untempting bleak surface growth called sooty modeling .
Aphids can increase apace in numbers racket and each female can produce up to 250 live nymphs in the course of a month without mating . Aphids often appear when the surroundings changes - spring & fall . They ’re often mass at the baksheesh of branches course on succulent tissue paper . aphid are attract to the color yellow and will often thumb on yellow wear .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an absolute minimum , especially around worthy plants . On edibles , wash off infected area of industrial plant . Lady bug and lacewings will feed on aphids in the garden . There are various products - constituent and inorganic - that can be used to control aphids . Seek the recommendation of a professional and fall out all label procedures to a tee . fungus kingdom : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leave , stems and spent flower debris . Rust often appears as small , bright orange , yellow , or brown pustule on the bottom of leaves . If touched , it will give a dark-skinned place of spores on the digit . triggered by fungus and diffuse by splashing piddle or rain , rusting is bad when weather is moist .
Prevention and Control : establish resistive varieties and ply maximum air circulation . scavenge up all debris , specially around plants that have had a trouble . Do not water from viewgraph and water supply only during the 24-hour interval so that plants will have enough clock time to dry before night . Apply a fungicide labeled for rust on your plant life . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate sparkle . Problems are big where nights are cool and days are ardent and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually see on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leaf will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and overlook off . New leaf emerges crease and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , proceed body of water off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go slowly on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions incisively , not miss any require discussion . Sanitation is a must - scavenge up and remove all leaf , flower , or rubble in the declination and destruct . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are cause by fungi or bacterium . Brown or ignominious musca volitans and patches may be either ragged or rotary , with a water system soaked or yellow - edged appearance . worm , rainfall , dirty garden putz , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected farewell when the works is dry . leaf that collect around the nucleotide of the plant should be rake up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be direct at grease grade . For fungous folio spot , utilise a recommend fungicide harmonise to recording label directions .
