I hope you have it in a well drained location, and in at least neutral soil. Air drainage is important in areas where you have subtropical hot humid nights. Cool arid desert nights make for more compact growth and deeper pigmentation.

This was a timely question. I just planted one in an extremely sandy, hot, and dry area on a whim. This was the only species I tried this year for which cuttings would not root. Based on the above advice it sounds as if I should be very liberal with lime. Would it also be a good idea to lime the reptans cuttings?

This is good information for me, I started one plant of S. pachyphylla from seed and it is growing slowly in a standard commercial soil-less potting medium. What is the best way to add lime to the soil?

Joseph

Here's mine in front of a Salvia Clevlandii. I wouldn't worry about it not looking like it is growing. This was a very small sprig four years ago and without it ever looking like it was growing it has gotten quite large. It's getting flower buds, can't wait until they come out.

We have alkaline soil so we don't have to add lime but since we have clay type soil we did add gravel and horse manure to the planting hole, put it on a drip line and it has been about the lowest maintenance plant you could ask for ever since.

Hope yours does as well for you, Maria

That is stunning Maria. I can't imagine Easterners like me ever growing such a monster, but we can still wish.

The hummingbirds must go bonkers with all those flowers!

Actually, these are very good honeybee plants, and make a very nice mellow clear honey like clover honey.