Expert: C.L. Fornari - 7/28/2006

Question
I planted "hummingbird" red salvia (rather late: last part of may), but the flowers were not very durable.  When I deadheaded them (about 6 weeks ago)NOTHING ever grew back. It does not look like there are ANY flower buds coming back, but the vegetative growth is doing great.

I have been fertilizing, and they have been treated with a mycorhiza drench.  They are growing like crazy and stand thick and tall, but...no flowers.  They are planted with a border of "Margurite" sweet potato vines, and actually seem to be winning the competition for sunlight, although the vines are being clipped back once a week.  Soil is excellent, in a container bed.

Any ideas ?

Answer
David,
Some salvias are perennials where it is warm, and are late season bloomers - they often have a flower when you buy them because being in a pot stresses them into producing flowers early, but when they get into the soil, expecially good soil with fertilizer, they just grow foliage like crazy and bloom late.  From the flowers point of view, it is a perennial where it is hardy, so will come back from the roots so isn't in a hurry to make flowers that result in seeds.  Your salvia will bloom again, but don't be surprized if it waits until late august or even September before producing many flowers.  In the meantime, no more fertilizer and only a deep soaking once a week unless it's wilting.

all the best,
C.L.