Salvia Argentea Care and Cutting Back - Ask Extension
I have Salvia Argentea at center of my garden. Huge plant, bloomed beautifully, now a big dry brown mass. Can I cut the stems/flowers back now or sh...
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Salvia Argentea Care and Cutting Back #880918
Asked August 10, 2024, 11:02 AM EDT
I have Salvia Argentea at center of my garden. Huge plant, bloomed beautifully, now a big dry brown mass. Can I cut the stems/flowers back now or should I wait. Do you let the big now-brown leaves stay all the way thru spring or what is the timing of removing them?
Denver County Colorado
Expert Response
Hello,
I recommend cutting back the flowers as soon as possible. The removal of dead flowers is called "deadheading", and it can encourage a 2nd round of blooms in plants like Salvia.
As for the brown leaves, it would be helpful to see pictures before advising you further. I'm not sure if those leaves are browning due to drought stress or another cause. If the leaves are fully dead, removing them will help make room for the new leaves. But if the leaves are senescing due to old age, it's best to leave them attached until the plant naturally drops them (because the plant is absorbing nutrients from the leaves before discarding them).
