Best Salvia's to grow for Hummingbirds??

Hi, hummingbirders! They are on their way up and I need to get ready!

So It's (past?) time to get the salvia seeds started for the Hummingbird garden (up here in Zone 6, anyway!).

I'm trying to start lots of different salvia seeds under lights and I am hoping for a big crop.

Does anyone out there have any special recommendations for how to start salvia seeds ? (I am especially interested in salvias that do well in our Zone 6a climate but I know others would like suggestions, too.)

I resurrected Marilynbeth's thread on Salvias for the Hummingbirds from 2 years ago for reference. Lots of good info here, too: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/614896/

On a different forum there was a lot of interest in 'Yvonne's' Salvia (which has an interesting story) which I think would be good for hummingbirds but I haven't heard any confirmation. I planted the seed but haven't gotten any germination yet...I wonder what I did wrong?

Anyway, attached is a photo of Yvonne and her husband and the salvia which I 'borrowed' from the Yvonne Salvia site. FYI Here is the link: http://mamakane.com/yvonnesalvia.htm

I would love to know which salvias you plant and any tips on how to grow from seed. Thanks. t.

Kawonkamish t,

Here's how Emily Todd grows 7 foot tall Yvonne's Salvias:

YVONNE’S SALVIA

1. Started seeds indoors, mid-February, under lights.

2. She uses the GPS (from Gardener’s Supply) system, which has capillary matting under the soil cells, providing the constant amount of moisture the seeds require. She does this for all of her seeds.

3. Transplanted into plastic 4-packs, at about 4 weeks; each cell of the 4-pack is 2.5 inches square. Put about ¼ inch of moist sphagnum moss in the bottom of each cell, to help retain moisture, and encourage a good root system; bottom water the plants.

4. Started “hardening” them off, on an enclosed, non-heated porch in early April.

5. Planted outside in mid-May. The garden bed was prepared with a good dose of compost. This garden bed gets full sun.

6. Fed every couple of weeks with 20-20-20, starting in June.

Emily is in zone 6, with a last frost date around the end of May. She generally “pushes the envelope” with planting out. Remember to cover them with sheets or row cover when a late frost is forecast.


Aquene,
Moe/WautukquesSochepo

Thank you for all the Yvonne Salvia details.

I'm afraid my batch of Yvonne seeds is refusing to germinate and I will have to do without them for my Hummingbirds this year.

I did get good germination on my other salvia seeds, but not Yvonne, so I am a bit non-plussed. Although I did not use a GPS system with the capillary matting, I'm fairly certain the seeds were kept constantly moist. I did use a heat mat, but maybe it was too hot for the Yvonnes...oh well.

I'll email Emily and ask her about why yours wouldn't germinate.


Aquene,
Moe/WautukquesSochepo

This message was edited Mar 24, 2008 6:52 PM

Oh, no, please don't bother her. I'm sure I did something not quite right with them. And maybe they'll come through after all...

I had a salvia come up unexpectedly in the pot with another store-bought plant a
couple seasons ago. It got to about 3ft x 3ft with long, thin tubular white & light pink
blooms that the hummers finally noticed last year & seemed to love. The plant
must re-seed because it kept coming up on it's own & in a lot of different areas.

Well, that was a good bonus for you, carol! And apparently easy to grow. I've been babying along my salvia seedlings and they are making me a little crazy! I can't wait until warm weather arrives and I can put them outside!

I grew some of this species of Salvia from seed last year Judy. I sowed it fall/winter of 06/07.

Which Salvias to grow??

I grow every one I can get my hands on!!! LOL! The YVONNE’S Salvia looks like Salvia "splendens". I saw some burgundy and bright red at Albertson's yesterday.

Of all the Salvias I have I noticed the hummers liked the Black and Blue the best. A large patch of any kind of Salvia will no doubt bring lots of hummers.

I just added a new one I know they will love this year... Pineapple Sage.

Debnes

That sounds like me, Deb. I try to grow ever one, I can get my hands on, too. : ) I have some Lady in Red, Pineapple, Hot Lips, and a couple more I can't think of at the moment.

I can't wait to try the YVONNE'S. If any of you get seeds from your plants, some time this year,....remember me. ^_^
~Lucy

I tried to start Yvonne Salvia seeds this year but they didn't germinate. I don't know what I did wrong--I didn't try Emily's exact plan, though, but will try again next year.

I did germinate about 6 other kinds of salvia---praeclara, splendens, penstemoides...can't think of the others. Most of them were highly recommended for northern hummingbird gardens. I don't have 'Hot Lips' but many have said good things about it and the HBs. 'Lady in Red' is a classic, of course, and Pineapple sage is too, isn't it?

Now I have to build a garden for them (as soon as it stops raining here!)

I don't know which ones the hummingbirds like best, because last year was the first time I grew them. I did see a hummingbird on my Black and Blue, and another blue one, that I can't think of the name, right now.

You are gonna wait all the way till next year, to start Yvonne's again? That's a long time. lol : )

Well, I already have more Salvia seedlings than I know what to do with and I don't have anymore Yvonne seeds to starts, so they went to the bottom of the priority seed starting list...

I hope my Black & Blue made it through the winter. I never saw an HB on it last year, but it was partially hidden by a giant tithonia and this year I'll give it lots of space to show off it's pretty blooms and put the tithonia elsewhere.

Those Tithonias can sure take up a flower bed. I have finally learned to give them a bed to themselves. Bad bedfellows. lol : )

Something kind of fun regarding Yvonne's salvia…

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/279495125RqhnFe

Mrs_Ed, that was really cute collection of photos!

I got a packet of Yvonne's salvia in a trade a few weeks back and sowed 6 seeds. Four have come up so far, one looked like it rotted when it came out of the seedcoat, and one died. The 2 live ones look OK, I'm trying not to kill them with kindness (or humidity), and just let them do their thing and hopefully survive!

Cathy

ooo, good luck. I don't have room for this plant, but I am completely fascinated by it.

Great link on Yvonne's. I especially like the map of where it's being grown:

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/1289192594047723917joEUNM

I see there are a few close by me--I think one is kcqrna here in Cincinnati...small world!

Very cool map and thread! I am trying to grow some currently. I got a few seeds. Most are not germinating, but I only need a few to take off. I wonder if growing them in pots would be a good option? I do that with some other Salvia!

becky-- it will have to be a big pot for the Yvonnes. I think they get to be 5 feet tall.

I heard that and see that in photos, but have been told they don't get that big in the south. I thought I'd try it just for grins! :-)