Explore Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Thursday - November 04, 2010
From: San Antonio, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Propagation
Title: Growing Big Red Sage from Seed in San Antonio
Answered by: Mike Tomme
QUESTION:
I harvested some seed this year from my Big Red Salvia (Salvia penstemonoides). I have searched multiple sites looking for information on growing this wonderful salvia but cannot locate any information on seed preparation (if required) and best time to sow the seeds. Can you answer this question for me please?ANSWER:
Salvia penstemonoides (Big red sage), aka big red Salvia is grown easily from seed or it can be propagated by root division or from cuttings. No special seed preparation is necessary. Fall is the best time to plant for spring blooms.
If you want to get your plants started in seed starting containers, here is a link that tells you how to do that: How to germinate salvia seeds. Also, here is a link with some general advice about growing Salvia: Growing Salvia.
Finally, here is a link to a previous Mr. Smarty Plants answer about growing big red sage.
Get ready for the hummingbirds, they're going to love it around your place.
More Propagation Questions
Propagating Magnolia grandiflora from Murfreesboro TN
August 03, 2011 - There are several Magnolia grandiflora (Southern magnolia) that have been planted in my neighborhood in middle Tennessee by a landscaping company, and now that they all appear to be producing seeds, ...
view the full question and answer
When can bluebonnet seeds in freezer be planted in Midland TX
January 12, 2010 - I have a large pkg of bluebonnets in my freezer that I had planned to plant in October and forgot. Is January too late for Bluebonnets to come up in March-April? A year ago in Spring my brother and I...
view the full question and answer
Eliminating black locust volunteers in Rockville MD
September 27, 2011 - I am a landscape designer whose client has a very large, mature black locust in her front yard. Not surprisingly, she also has multitudes of black locust volunteers popping up all over her yard. The...
view the full question and answer
Propagating yaupons (Ilex vomitoria)
November 30, 2007 - Dear Mr. Smarty,
I enjoy your weekly tips printed in the Austin Statesman.
We live in the Texas hill country where the soil is essentially rock. One of the nice benefits of our yard and the are...
view the full question and answer
Varieties of Ceanothus suitable for Illinois
September 07, 2012 - Ceanothus Velutinus is the smell of western Montana, my home, to me, and I have relocated to Illinois. I miss it so much that whenever I go home I bring back a jar of ceanothis leaves and keep th...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
