Pruning sage (Salvia): when and how do you do it?
You might know it as a culinary herb, but there are many other profusely flowering varieties of sage ( Salvia ) that are irresistible in the garden, such as Salvia 'Hot Lips' and Salvia nemorosa . In this article, we'll tell you when and how best to prune sage.
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"Must" is a strong word, but shrubby sage can spread quite a bit in your garden, and sometimes this colorful plant becomes woody (thorny) and thin over the years. Regular pruning can be wise if you want to keep the shrub more compact and bushy. And if you want to encourage new shoots from your Salvia !
To keep your plant looking its best, it's wise to prune sage twice a year: in spring (April-May) and in autumn (October). The second pruning can also be done earlier, depending on whether the shrub has finished flowering.
An exception are the deciduous sage varieties, such as Salvia 'Amistad' . Prune these only in spring, when new growth appears, and then cut off the old stems completely.
What to do with spent Salvias in summer or fall? It's not that difficult: just cut off the flowers just below the top, a process known as deadheading.
For pruning in spring, you can follow these steps:
- Get a sharp pair of pruning shears that will make a clean cut.
- First remove brown, dead parts of the plant to make room for fresh growth.
- Then, cut away any damaged or crossing branches to keep your plant healthy.
- If necessary, also cut back the other branches by about one third, always to just above healthy shoot buds on the stem.
- Is your shrub too woody? Then prune just above the old wood as rejuvenation pruning.
- After pruning, throw away diseased parts of the plant and throw healthy pruning waste on the compost heap .
- When should I prune which plant?
- What should I pay attention to when pruning?
- The best tips for a blooming garden.
For the second pruning, wait until your Salvia has finished blooming. Salvia officinalis, for example, blooms in summer, while Salvia microphylla , Salvia 'Hot Lips', and Salvia greggii bloom into autumn. So keep a close eye on the plant and use your pruning shears as soon as you see dead flowers.
Yes, some varieties of sage, such as Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna', bloom twice: in May-June and then a second flush of flowers. If you see "dry" flowers after the first bloom, it has finished blooming for that time, and you can prune the plant back to 10 cm above the ground in summer. This will encourage a second flush of flowers in autumn.
Sage doesn't need to be pruned back very far. In spring, you can remove about a third of the plant, up to the spot where you want new stems to emerge. Or you can choose to remove only the dead branches. You'll see the plant grow bushier and bloom within five weeks. In autumn, just cut away the spent flowers.
Tip!
Not all Salvia species tolerate winter cold well, including Salvia patens and Salvia uliginosa . You can preserve salvia by potting it up and letting it overwinter in a cool, frost-free place. Before doing this, prune the salvia lightly.
Want to ensure your sage plant survives the winter? Propagating sage cuttings isn't difficult, and you'll grow new "babies" from the plant for free, which you can then plant out in the spring.
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