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Javajuice
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Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2010 3:45 am

Did I cut back to much last fall?

Hello everyone. This is my first post here! I was hoping to get a little help.

Year before last I bought some purple Salvia plant from Home Depot, that did really well the second year. I really loved it.

I don't remember how I cutback after it died for the season the first time. But last time I cut it all the way to the node. I think I killed it! Its not starting to grow. I'm in Utah, and it is still a little cold, but it looks dead........

Am I being impatient or was that not a good idea to cut it.

Thanks in Advance!

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Kisal
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Location: Oregon

Welcome to The Helpful Gardener forum! Glad to have you here with us! :)

In the fall, the entire plant should be cut back, but never down to where there are no leaves.

It's early days yet. Give it a bit more time. Salvia is known to be a late spring bloomer. :)

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rainbowgardener
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Location: TN/GA 7b

Yeah, it comes back from the roots, so should be ok. Summer bloomers come out of dormancy later in the spring than spring bloomers. Be patient!

My purple salvia does have a nice clump of basal leaves right now, but I have no idea how my climate compares to yours. We've had a lot of lovely spring weather and no snow or frost for most of a month.

Susan W
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Location: Memphis, TN

Give it time, don't give up!
I admit to having messy or interesting winter garden areas. I cut back some perennials some, usually leave at least a few inches of old stalk, in part as a marker.
Some iffy ones I leave the whole stalk. Iffy I mean by may winter. I had heard once, perhaps just a whacky notion, that cutting those back will leave hollow tubes. The rain can get in and freeze, that not good. Reminds me that I really need to clean up the Mexican Salvia in the front bed as it is looking nasty with new growth all around!

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Javajuice
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Joined: Sun Apr 11, 2010 3:45 am

Very nice, thanks for all the great responses. Good to know its a late bloomer! I really hope it makes it, fabulous plant. Thanks again! Ill have more care next year if it makes it.



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