Gardening with Gary

Gardening Advice from an Expert

Salvia

Q. I planted some salvia along with some other flowers in a bunch of window boxes, and just now looked at the little tag to find that it should grow 12-15" high. Does it spread at all or just go up? Should I take it out and put something else in?

I don't know a thing about salvia. The petals pop out and look "long". What does that mean? When do I remove the flower? Do I remove the whole thing? Will that just leave a stem with no flowers on it or will there eventually be many flowers?

A. I am very pleased that you are starting out with plants. You will be amazed at how much you will learn by growing them. Feel free to return here anytime to ask questions. I will be happy to advise.

Salvia works very well in planter/window boxes. The flowers stick up high, so they are counted in the measurement. When the entire flower stem is spent, cut it off right at the main plant stem. New flower shoots will appear and continue all summer long!

Be sure to water very well, especially when the weather is dry, and give the boxes plant food every two weeks, using Miracle-Gro, Peters, Scotts, or Hyponex.