Evergreen woody shrub/subshrub autumn sage (Salvia greggii) really benefits from late winter pruning, both for looks and long-term good health. See how to make the cuts with Leslie Uppinghouse, horticulturist at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Plus, learn when to tip prune and why to leave it alone in summer droughts.
Support for CTG is provided by: Lisa & Desi Rhoden. Central Texas Gardener is produced by Austin PBS, KLRU-TV and distributed by NETA.
So the plant that I have in front of me is the autumn sage Salvia greggii.
So Ive done a little bit of pruning already and you can see inside the plant that I havent pruned the bright green leaves at the base.
And if you look at all of the plants in this bedding, you can see that they are all about the same height.
So that is going to give you the visual indication of where youre going to cut.
The other thing that Im going to do is Im going to make sure that Im nice and comfortable.
Im pretty much at eye level so I can see clearly where Im going to cut.
And Im also going to have a variety of very sharp tools so I can make sure to make a nice clean cut above the node right where that nice, bright green new growth is coming.
So this old growth wood that is green is still kind of fresh, but were going to go for the new green at the very base.
When youre doing something brittle, you want to make sure to not overstress the tissue of that branch.
So Im not going to use loppers, Im not going to use shears and Im not going to use big clippers.
I do have the big clippers here in case I need to cut some of that.
So with my little tiny snips, Im going to go right above the node and a nice bright green and Im just going to make a quick clean cut.
Theres a little bit of resistance on the clippers, but I feel pretty good about it.
Salvias can have wood, old wood, but you want to be careful that it doesnt get too woody because a dog can rub up against it and snap that branch.
Some of the blooms are going to really be a little bit showier on that bright green growth, which makes sense if you think about it.
But you can see here and here Im going to switch to my bigger pruners because Im talking about more wood.
So a little bit, Ill call it my mediums, but Im going to cut this one really at the base just to show the example.
So theyre quite a bit bigger the older they get and youll want to look for your oldest branches and make sure that theyre still viable, that theyre still showing a lot of fresh green growth.
And if theyre not, dont hesitate to cut it to the ground and have some of that new growth.
About every three years I take out my oldest stalks and I let some of those new ones sort of take their place.
And so thats sort of the general rule I make with all the subshrubs or the woody shrubs.
Autumn sage depending on where you are and what type of irrigation or if youre irrigating, it all can be a little bit susceptible to rot if it is too moist.
So this is a good time of year while Im trimming to really check out the base of the plant, make sure my mulch isnt too high.
So this is an example of winter pruning, but I would almost call it shaping versus cut back.
Typically, it will be around March or April after a big bloom, I like to go back and Ill tip it.
Ill tip back to some nice green growth and then I do it again in the summertime.
As a gardener, I love growing autumn sage (Salvia greggii) in my garden. This hardy perennial produces beautiful red flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies during the spring and summer. However, while autumn sage thrives in the warm weather, it needs a bit of preparation and care to survive the colder months.
In this article, I’ll explain exactly how to prepare your autumn sage plant for winter Whether you’re growing it in pots or in the ground, following these simple tips will help ensure your sage survives the winter and returns healthy and vigorous next spring
When to Prepare Autumn Sage for Winter
The first step is knowing when to start your winter preparation. Autumn sage is a perennial in USDA hardiness zones 6-9. If you live in zones 6-7, it may die back completely in winter. In warmer zones 8-9, it may remain evergreen.
Regardless of your zone, it’s best to prepare autumn sage for winter around the time it starts going dormant. This usually occurs after the first hard frost which causes the plant to stop actively growing. The leaves may start dropping or the stems might die back. This is the signal that the plant is going dormant.
Ideally, you’ll want to prepare your sage for winter around late fall or early winter, usually between October and December, depending on your climate. Don’t wait until the ground has frozen solid or you’ll risk damaging the plant.
How to Prepare Autumn Sage in Pots
If you’ve been growing autumn sage in containers, the preparation is fairly simple:
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Stop fertilizing and trim back any dead or damaged growth. This signals the plant to harden off for winter dormancy.
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Move the pots to a protected area An unheated garage or garden shed is ideal Make sure the temperature doesn’t go below 25°F if possible,
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Water sparingly over winter The plant won’t need much moisture while dormant but don’t let it dry out completely.
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Remove any dead leaves or debris from the soil surface.
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Make sure the pots aren’t sitting in water. Elevate them on blocks or bricks if needed.
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In spring when new growth appears, you can move the plants back outdoors. Start watering and fertilizing again.
By overwintering autumn sage in pots, you allow the root system to remain undisturbed and protected. This gives the plants the best chance of re-emerging vigororusly next season.
How to Prepare Autumn Sage in the Ground
Preparing sage planted in the garden bed involves a few extra steps:
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Prune back the stems to about 6 inches above soil level after the first hard frost. Don’t prune too early or you may remove next year’s flower buds.
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Clear away any fallen leaves or debris around the base of the plants. This prevents diseases and pests from overwintering.
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Consider applying 2-3 inches of mulch around the plants. Straw or pine needles work well. This insulates the roots and prevents frost heaving.
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For extra protection, erect a small fence or cage around the plants and fill it with leaves or straw. This mimics the warmer conditions the roots would experience if the ground remained snow covered.
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Water the plants if rainfall is lacking and the ground isn’t frozen. Infrequent deep watering is best.
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Remove any winter mulch or protection in early spring once the worst of the cold weather has passed.
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Apply a balanced fertilizer or compost when new growth emerges.
Protecting autumn sage planted in the ground gives its root system the best chance of surviving cold winter temperatures. For zones 6-7 where dieback may occur, these measures offer insurance that your plant returns vigorously the following spring.
What to Avoid When Preparing Autumn Sage for Winter
Now that you know how to properly prepare autumn sage for winter, there are a few things you’ll want to avoid:
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Don’t prune autumn sage back too severely in fall. Leave some top growth to help insulate the plant crown.
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Avoid overwatering during winter dormancy. Too much moisture can lead to rotting.
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Don’t forget to remove protective mulch from around the plants in early spring. This allows sunlight and air to reach emerging growth.
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Don’t use nitrogen-heavy fertilizer too late in the season as this stimulates tender new growth prone to cold damage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Caring for Autumn Sage in Winter
Here are answers to some common questions about preparing autumn sage for winter:
Should I cut back autumn sage before winter?
Yes, it’s best to prune autumn sage back by about one-third to one-half its height before winter. This removes dead growth and encourages the plant to go dormant. Avoid cutting back too severely. Leave some top growth to help insulate the plant.
How cold hardy is autumn sage?
Autumn sage is hardy in USDA zones 6-9. In zones 8-9, it may remain evergreen over winter. In colder zones 6-7, it may die back to the ground and regrow from the roots each spring. Proper care will help it survive winter even in the coldest end of its growing range.
Should I fertilize autumn sage in fall or winter?
Avoid fertilizing autumn sage past mid-summer. Fertilizing too late in the year stimulates tender new growth that is prone to winter damage. You can resume fertilizing once new growth appears in spring after the last hard frost has passed.
Can I leave autumn sage outside in winter?
In zones 6-9, autumn sage can be left outside over winter provided you follow the proper care and protection measures outlined above. If grown in pots, they should be moved to a protected location once dormant. In colder climates, pots can be brought into an unheated garage or cellar.
Should I mulch around autumn sage for winter?
Applying 2-3 inches of mulch around autumn sage planted in the ground can help insulate the soil and protect the roots from fluctuating winter temperatures. Avoid mulching too early in fall. Wait until the plant is fully dormant after several hard frosts. Remove the mulch in spring once danger of frost has passed.
When does autumn sage bloom again after winter?
If overwintered successfully, autumn sage will resume blooming in late spring or early summer. Blooms may emerge a little later than usual in the season depending on how severe the winter was. But with proper care, autumn sage will flower abundantly again next year.
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