Cover Girl Annual Salvia dazzles with rich scarlet-red flowers packed along large, dense spikes, offering a burst of color from spring to frost. This early-flowering Salvia splendens variety boasts a uniform, bushy habit, making it a standout choice for bedding, borders, or summer pots. Compact yet vigorous, it thrives in sun or partial shade, attracting pollinators like hummingbirds while requiring minimal upkeep.
Salvia Growing Guide
Outdoor Sowing (Directly in the Garden)
- Timing: Sow Cover Girl Salvia seeds outdoors in late spring, after the last frost, when soil temperatures are above 65°F. This variety is frost-sensitive and prefers warm conditions.
- Location: Choose a sunny to partially shaded spot with well-draining soil. It adapts to average soils and excels in heat.
- Soil Preparation: Loosen soil to 6-8 inches deep and blend in compost. A pH of 5.5-6.5 is optimal for this variety.
- Planting Seeds:
- Sow seeds on the soil surface and press lightly—do not cover, as light is required for germination.
- Space seeds or thin seedlings to 8-10 inches apart for its compact growth.
- Watering: Keep soil moist but not wet until germination (12-15 days). Once established, it tolerates moderate drought with occasional watering.
Indoor Sowing (Starting Seeds Indoors)
- Timing: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date.
- Containers: Use trays or pots with drainage, filled with a light seed-starting mix.
- Planting:
- Sow 2-3 seeds per plug on the surface, pressing gently. Do not cover.
- Mist to keep soil moist without waterlogging.
- Germination:
- Maintain 72-75°F; seedlings emerge in 12-15 days with light exposure.
- Transplanting: Move outdoors after the last frost when soil is above 65°F and plants have 2-3 true leaves. Space 8-10 inches apart.
General Care Tips for Salvia
- Sunlight: Full sun (6-8 hours) or partial shade for best blooms; flowering may lessen in shade.
- Watering: Water regularly while establishing. Mature plants handle dry spells but prefer consistent moisture without sogginess.
- Fertilizing: Mix compost into soil pre-planting. Apply a balanced fertilizer once mid-season for vibrant spikes.
- Pruning: Deadhead spent blooms to extend flowering. Pinch early growth for bushier plants.
- Pest and Disease Control: Pest-resistant; ensure spacing to avoid mildew in humid conditions.
- Harvesting:
- Cut spikes when fully open for fresh use or dry for arrangements. Harvest above a leaf node.
- Storage: Fresh stems last a week in water. Dry by hanging upside down in a cool, ventilated area.
