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Ornamental sage impresses with a veritable splendor of flowers in summer. To keep it that way, you should carry out a maintenance cut according to the following instructions once a year. How to properly cut ornamental sage.
In a nutshell
- different cuts (points in time) possible on ornamental sage
- Winter pruning for bushy growth
- Stimulate second flowering with summer pruning and curb uncontrolled spread
- always cut in case of disease or pest infestation
ornamental sage species
Sage (Salvia) is a genus of plants within the mint family (Lamiaceae). Depending on the author, the genus includes 800 to 1,000 species. Garden sage (Salvia officinalis) and meadow sage (Salvia pratensis) are mainly used in the kitchen. There are also sage species and their varieties that are kept as ornamental plants in the garden. However, not all ornamental sage species in this country are hardy. Species that cope well with the German winter include:
| Ornamental Sage Art | hardiness |
|---|---|
| Grove sage (Salvia nemorosa) | down to minus 29 degrees Celsius |
| Sticky Sage (Salvia glutinosa) | hardy (native species) |
| Clary sage (Salvia sclarea) | down to minus 29 degrees Celsius |
| Prairie Sage (Salvia azurea) | to minus 23 degrees Celsius |
| Whorled sage (Salvia verticillata) | to minus 23 degrees Celsius |
| silver sage (Salvia argentea) | down to minus 29 degrees Celsius |
| Switch sage (Salvia virgata) | hardy (naturalized species) |
Clary sage (Salvia sclarea, left) and whorled sage (S. verticillata 'Purple Rain', right)
The following species, for example, are conditionally hardy:
- Mexican sage (Salvia patens): down to -12 degrees Celsius
- Peach sage (Salvia gregii): down to -7 degrees Celsius
- Marsh sage (Salvia uliginosa): down to -18 degrees Celsius
Notice: Although the frost hardiness of the various species of ornamental sage is extremely different, they are treated the same in terms of pruning.
Cut ornamental sage
Ornamental sage that is kept perennial should be cut twice a year:
- pruning (winter pruning)
- Removing faded panicle flowers (summer pruning)
Cutting instructions throughout the year
1st pruning measure: winter pruning
The ideal time for the so-called winter cut is in late winter, when no more frost periods are to be expected. This may vary from region to region, but don't get the scissors before the end of February.
The winter cut is the pruning that serves to ensure that the sage grows bushy and dense. You can also restore the symmetry of the plant by cutting back. Proceed according to the following instructions:
- for herbaceous species: cut off the stalks to a hand's breadth above the ground
- with woody sage: shorten the shoots, but do not cut into the old wood
- Remove remaining dried and dead plant parts
Notice: Never cut back ornamental sage in autumn, because the dying parts of the plant are a natural winter protection for the sage.
2nd pruning measure: summer pruning
In contrast to the winter cut, the summer cut is not a care measure, but a cosmetic measure. Nevertheless, there are some arguments in favor of cutting off faded flowers:
- stimulates plants to flower twice
- prevents uncontrolled spread by seeds
- Garden bed looks neater
Wilted plant parts should be removed regularly.
In order to achieve these goals, there is no need for guidance in the strict sense. Simply cut off the faded panicle flowers. So that the sage does not have a chance to reproduce with seeds, grab scissors as soon as the flower begins to wither. If natural spreading is desired, leave a few panicles.
3rd pruning measure: entire vegetation period
In addition to winter and summer pruning, a pruning may become necessary if a disease or pest infestation sets in. In addition, individual dried shoots may also be removed in summer.
cutting tool
You can use rose scissors or a knife to cut the sage. It is important that the cutting tool is sharp so that you can make a smooth cut.
Always keep the cutting tool clean and sharp to prevent injury to the plant. This means that they do not offer any target for pathogens.
frequently asked Questions
Until when can late-flowering ornamental sage be cut?Since the dead parts of the plant serve as winter protection for the sage, you should refrain from pruning late-flowering species from October.
How do I cut ornamental sage in the bucket culture?When it comes to cutting, there is no difference between outdoor and tub culture. However, the plants in the tub need winter protection if they overwinter outside. If you spend the winter indoors, you can trim the sage to save space.
Do annual sage species need pruning?Annual plants such as flour sage (Salvia farinacea) or fire sage (Salvia splendens) do not need winter pruning because they do not survive the German winter outdoors. However, you should carry out the summer pruning to stimulate a second flowering.