Hi Heathen,

I think you nailed it, from what I understand this salvia is a shortlived perennial if you deadhead the flowers, it lives for 2 years, if you allow to flower it generally dies not long after but apparently sets lots off seeds.Let me know how it performs for you, it is one off the salvias that I am going to try shortly.

Annette

okie dokie! :o) It SHOULD do well... I am putting it on this little 'hill' in my yard, so drainage will be great, I might have to actually mulch.
Okay, I will treat it like a biennial and collect the seeds on the second year. :o)
Thanks!

Betsy Clebsch says -

"After enjoying the stalk at full bloom for a few days, you should remove it, as you lengthen the life of the plant by preventing seed production. Even though it is classified as a perennial, it will be short-lived if it produces seed. Eventually, of course, the plant must be allowed to produce a small quantity of seed because this is the quickest and easiest means of propagation."

Brenda

Under its ideal conditions, Salvia argentea produces multiple crops of seed. In the USA, Denver has these conditions. The original plant in a collection there is around 20 years old, and the Denver Botanical Garden has one that is about half that age.

If the plants are in a xeric or Mediterranean climate, in a loose, aerated soil, and in USDA zone 8 or warmer, they will thrive. In heavier soils and more humid climates with hotter nights, this sage will act as a monocarpic (one seed set) biennial.

Okay... well, I definitely live in a Mediterranean climate! I am in Sacramento... loose aerated soil is a little difficult in my clayland garden, but I think I can just dump in a bunch of compost. If the soil compacts, I can just take some seed, let the plant die and recompost or mulch... SO... now, Maybe I have a competition, How Long Can I Keep The S. argentea Alive? :o)
Thanks!

I don't think you'll need to collect the seed. Mine self-seeds rather prolifically. I have to deadhead it as soon as it's done blooming or I get a ton of babies everywhere. They are easy to pluck out but be prepared! LOL!

Well, they're infinitely better than bermuda grass which is what tries to grow there now... I wouldn't mind weeding baby salvias.