Salvias – not forgetting the much-loved variety 'Hot Lips' – are among the longest-flowering plants in the summer garden, bringing vibrant colour, whimsical movement and pollinator appeal to borders from late spring and into autumn.
Yet once that first flush of flowers begins to fade, many gardeners are unsure whether to leave them alone or reach for the secateurs.
The good news is that most salvias respond extremely well to a little attention after flowering. A few simple maintenance jobs can encourage fresh and jubilant blooms, keep plants compact and help them flower for many more months.
Whether you're growing shrubby salvias such as 'Hot Lips' (Salvia microphylla), herbaceous varieties like Salvia nemorosa, or tender types in pots, these are the key jobs to see to after flowering.
1. Deadhead spent flowers regularly
The easiest way to encourage more flowers is to remove faded blooms as soon as they begin to brown; deadheading prevents the plant from putting energy into seed production and redirects it into producing fresh flowering stems.
For most salvias, simply snip off the flower spike once the majority of blooms have faded, cutting back to the first set of healthy leaves or side shoots beneath.
Regular deadheading throughout summer can significantly extend the flowering season, particularly for varieties such as Salvia greggii and Salvia microphylla.
2. Give herbaceous salvias a light trim
Many herbaceous salvias, including Salvia nemorosa and Salvia x sylvestris, often produce a second flush of flowers if cut back after their first display.
"Once the initial flowering stems have faded, trim the plant by around one-third," advises Sharon Amos, Country Living's gardening editor. "This encourages fresh growth from the base and often leads to another wave of blooms later in the season."
Don't worry if the plant looks a little sparse immediately afterwards – new foliage usually appears quickly, especially if conditions are warm and moist.
3. Feed and water during dry spells
After flowering, salvias benefit from a boost of nutrients to support fresh growth and repeat blooming.
A balanced liquid fertiliser applied every couple of weeks can help container-grown plants in particular, while those in borders generally benefit from a layer of compost or well-rotted organic matter around the base.
"I like to feed my container-grown plants Liquid Gold Leaf Indoor every few weeks during growing season," advises Country Living's visuals editor and houseplant pundit, Bryan Taylor.
Although established salvias are relatively drought tolerant, prolonged dry weather can reduce flowering. Keeping plants watered during extended hot spells will help them continue producing buds and flowers. Try to water deeply rather than little and often.
4. Avoid hard pruning until spring
One of the most common mistakes gardeners make is cutting salvias back too severely at the end of summer. Shrubby varieties should be left largely intact through autumn and winter.
The old stems provide valuable protection for the crown during colder weather. Wait until new growth appears in spring before cutting back last year's stems.
At this point, remove any dead or damaged growth and shape the plant as needed. Pruning too early can leave salvias vulnerable to winter damage, particularly in colder parts of the UK.
Which salvias benefit most from deadheading?
Most garden salvias will flower for longer if spent blooms are removed regularly, but repeat-flowering varieties such as 'Hot Lips', Salvia greggii and many Salvia nemorosa cultivars show the greatest response.
With regular deadheading, occasional feeding and careful pruning at the right time, these reliable garden favourites can continue producing colourful flowers until the first frosts arrive.
Summer gardening edit
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Maddy is the Homes Writer at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she can be found writing about the latest interiors news and collating inspiring trend edits. She has previously worked for Good Housekeeping, Prima and Red, and has an MA in Classics and Ancient History from the University of Manchester and a BA in English Literature and Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia, where she was the editor-in-chief of the student newspaper.
