I had never seen a Texas star, I had to google it. It's beautiful.

Karen

They are


Here is Fire Ball picture does not do it justice.

I didn't know that Salvias could grow in a pot or tub!

This was my first year growing them, and I think I got them outdoors too late. Only two are blooming, and they are tiny (5-8" tall). (I had hoped that some annuals would go to seed and reseed for me, since my indoor seed-startung area is so small.

Salvia coccinea "Lady In Red"
Salvia nemerosasylvestris "Amethyst Blue" from Hazzards

Is there any point to trying to WS Salvia? None of mine came up.


Corey

Yes, Rick, it has worked for me.

This winter I did salvia nemorosa. It stayed tiny this summer though it did put out a few flower stalks. I have also done annual ones, but since they're frost tender here, I don't do those until around March. If we have a frost after they sprout, I give them a little extra protection.

I usually get enough annual volunteers that I probably don't have to bother. I don't sow the Coral Nymph anymore; I always have volunteers.

Karen

I grow Hibiscus in pots and tubs but I have grown salvia in pots and had good luck with them, Black and Blue or is that Blue and Black grows better for me in a pot.

ooohhh Sandy.. I found black & blue and saffire blue in gallon pots at a local nursery.. almost started jumping up and down when I saw how huge they were.. I of course planted those in the ground knowing they most likely won't return for me.. but I have a few plants I bring in and can always do cuttings of the saffire.. it's taller than the black & blue.. will have to go take a photo for you.. just love them..

any annual salvia should WS great ... I even had one self sow in my rock driveway.. must have made it's way over there from a container on my deck

I have tons of them in containers... like to keep them close to see the hummers

Me too, Allison. I have a row of Yvonne's salvia right beside my deck, and a pot of coral nymph sitting on the deck. The hummers love them.


Karen

here is the blueish or purple ones I bought this year.. not sure if they will set seed or not

coral & white nymph with some agastache, lantana & a spv in a deck rail planter

the massive patch of blue from the two plants in the garden

Thanks!

>> I don't sow the Coral Nymph anymore; I always have volunteers.

That's encouraging. This winter, I'll try again. It'll only be my second year WSing.

Corey

I have to say that overall, I've had great results with wintersowing. Last year was my 6th year. It's great for perennials. Most of them don't bloom the first year anyway, or very little. So if my WSown ones stay tiny that first year, I don't care, as long as they survive. By the second year, they do great. And it's a whole lot cheaper than buying all those perennials.

I "discovered" wintersowing on the GWeb forum. I asked for advice from the seasoned veterans and followed their direction. I followed in the footsteps of other people in my zone. In the end, it worked out well for me.

Karen

I have to build a cage to go around my plant stand the darn mice and squirrels are digging in my seed trays.

that's why I like the milk jugs

Andre would attack the milk jugs besides it get's way to hot down here even in winter. Besides you do not know our squirrels, they even still my plant labels!!!1

oh geeze.. can't win.. sorry

not around these rodents.

>> So if my WSown ones stay tiny that first year, I don't care, as long as they survive.

That's what I'm finding for several species of Penstemon. They were so slow to germinate at all that I gave up. Only the fact that I didn't get aorund to dumping the pots in those tubs for MONTHS let them germinate.

As I was about to dump them, I wondered why the perlite had funny colors. I squinted, and they turned out to be micro seedlings. Another few mionths later, and they range from 1/8" to maybe as much as 1/4"

But they're alive!

>> Besides you do not know our squirrels, they even still my plant labels!!!

I tried flakes of chili peppers, which worked until the next drizzle. Then I went to chicken wire. But if the squirrels were doing any of it, they must have many other food sources.

Now I think it's all cats using the "litter boxes" that I provide them.
From the size of their "presents".

Gross. Are they your cats?

Karen

I think the ones that raid the seeds are mice.
I did get one Ground Almond that sprouted the rest get ate

oh how nasty Rick.. my iron maiden penstemon took 2 or 3 years to bloom from WS'ing .. was so long I don't remember

>> Gross.

I agree!!

>> Are they your cats?

Mostly not, I think.

My park is overrun with fat, lazy cats and I mostly blame them. My own cat probably used to, but he is surprisingly cooperative, and since he figured out that I don't like him waltzing through the beds, he has stuck to the walkways
...
while I'm watching, at least.

He's too much of a sissy to chase other cats away, and I think they delight in swaggering around "his" territory.

Corey