How & When to Prune an Autumn Sage Plant
Autumn sage is the common name given to the salvia greggii, an ornamental sage. This sage is native to Texas and is a perfect plant to grow if you live where summers are hot and dry and where the soil is rocky and free-draining. Adaptable to different soils and climates, the autumn sage will offer color and beauty to a wide range of gardens including the more challenging desert, chaparral and mountain landscapes so long as you help it out with proper pruning in the right seasons. Does this Spark an idea?
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Pruning the Autumn Sage in Hot, Dry Climates
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Cut back the salvia greggii during the mid summer or the late winter to keep growth under control. Pruning in late winter will encourage the tips of the plant to branch and set a lot of buds for prolific blooming as the autumn sage comes into its most active period of growth. Pruning in mid summer can sometimes encourage a second flush of heavy bloom. On the whole, the autumn sage has a long blooming period, and although pruning in the summer may remove some flower buds, a light trim can often extend the flowering season. You can also use the summer trim to remove any rampant growth from springtime.
When to Prune an Autumn Sage in Warm, Moist Climates
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Prune the autumn sage during the early spring or late summer months. Although the salvia greggii is an excellent drought-tolerant plant, most varieties fare well in humid areas where temperatures remain mild so long as the plants get good drainage. These plants will flower up well when cut back in the early spring. You can give them a clean up during the summer, too.
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Pruning Styles
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Trim with shears to get a neater, more formal appearance. The autumn sage will tolerate shearing to make it look controlled, but don’t treat it like a hedge. The plant can look well groomed, but you will forfeit the main asset of the Salvia’s colorful flowers if you clip it too formally.
Use hand clippers and snip each branch at a slightly different length for a more natural-looking effect. Cut each branch back to just above a set of leaves to encourage a full habit of growth. This style of pruning will make the autumn sage blend handsomely with an informal landscape design.
Special Pruning Care
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Prune the autumn sage severely or divide the plant into separate plants every few years to keep your salvia from sprawling and dying out at the center. The best time to do this form of heavy pruning is in the late winter or early spring.
Overall Pruning Advice for the Autumn Sage
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Make sure all pruning tools are well sharpened. A clean, sharp edge will give you a smooth cut that is easy to execute and less likely to attract disease. Prune your autumn sage so it blends well with the design of your garden. If you cut it back at the right time of year and keep it growing healthy and reasonably controlled, it will give you years of beauty and easy care.
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