Hello. I live in Zone 5b. I bought some potted Salvia today. Can I plant them in my flower beds now or do I have to wait until May?
Thank you.
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applestar
- Mod
- Posts: 30551
- Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 7:21 pm
- Location: Zone 6, NJ (3/M)4/E ~ 10/M(11/B)
Is it a perennial salvia (typically with blue or purple flowers) or red annual salvia?
Either case, salvia is not frost hardy and upper growths (leaves and flowers) will die if exposed to hard frost.
My garden in Zone 6b, we usually expect last average frost day around last week of April to first week of May, but have had freak snow flurries in 2nd week of May.
I think you will want to hold off unless you live in urban hot pocket or near large body of water where it gets warmer faster.
If you plant earlier than is safe, you will need to devise some kind of protection that will likely necessitate twice daily check to cover at night and uncover in the morning.
Either case, salvia is not frost hardy and upper growths (leaves and flowers) will die if exposed to hard frost.
My garden in Zone 6b, we usually expect last average frost day around last week of April to first week of May, but have had freak snow flurries in 2nd week of May.
I think you will want to hold off unless you live in urban hot pocket or near large body of water where it gets warmer faster.
If you plant earlier than is safe, you will need to devise some kind of protection that will likely necessitate twice daily check to cover at night and uncover in the morning.