I decided that I'd like to plant a few salvias in my gardens but when I started researching types, (looking for one that blooms in early June), I keep seeing complaints of flopping plants. I'm not that familiar with salvias, so I'm wondering if there is a variety that is less likely to flop than others? Is there a good internet site where I could see pics of different types? Also, are salvias in the sage family?
Being you are in Zone 5-6 with snowcover some Salvia varieties to try S. pratensis S.nemerosa (not the form called plumosa the flowers flop) S. Patens S. koyamae S. azurea "Nekan" S pratensis & nemerosa hybrids S. jurisicii S. lyrata these should be reliable perennials Some annual forms S. coccinea S. splendens S. chiapensis S. greggii S. microphylla etc... I don't know how close you are to the New York Botanic Gardens but that should show you what does well in your area.try some other relatives like: Perovskia atriplicifolia (Russian Sage) etc.. Don't be afraid to experiment trial and error you can end up with unexpected surprises.
I'm zone 5 too. I can only comment on the blue-purple forms as that's all I like-
These are all winter hardy for you- May Night- longest blooming, most color, not flopping but it grows and expands- I divide it every 2-3 years.
Blue Queen- not a true blue not as good as Maynight not a flopper
East Friesland- not a flopper- much slower growing than Maynight ( could be where it's planted too)
Carradona- sp? new to me- no flopping yet
Transylvanica- a rangy flopper, self sows a LOT
That really blue one with a few bigger flowers that is not hardy- can't think of the name- 2-3 ft plant- could never get a blooming plant from seed and I'm not about to buy the annual plant- ugliosa??
Blue Queen is nice, full upright plant with plenty of flowers.
I love Caradonna for dark stems even after blooms are done on stem. A few outer stems sag but I prop up with a couple inconspicuous "Y" twigs. It's so beautiful I want more.
**Can Caradonna be root propogated? Any experience and/or success? If not where would Salvia afficionados here suggest purchasing them?
