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Wild Thing Salvia

Salvia greggii 'Wild Thing'

$10.99
$10.99 $0.00
per Plant - 5" Deep Pot
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ZONES  5-10 | Good to grow! Zone
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  • Wild Thing Salvia is an especially cold-hardy form of the Southwest native Autumn Sage
  • ¾ in. tall magenta flowers are top-tier hummingbird nectar sources
  • Especially drought-tolerant, heavy-flowering plant with strong late-summer and fall interest
  • A 2005 Plant Select® winner for its improved cold-hardiness, drought-tolerance and strong flowering
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Description

From Tom Peace comes Wild Thing Salvia, an especially cold-hardy selection of Salvia greggii, a native of the Desert Southwest. Beginning in late summer and continuing through fall, this woody subshrub produces dozens of nectar-rich, magenta flowers that serve as beacons for hummingbirds and butterflies. Wild Thing Salvia is reported to be a full zone hardier than many other Salvia greggii selections, though a few tips are key to success with this plant and other Autumn Sages: (1) plant in spring to give plants as much time as possible to establish before winter; (2) grow in full sun, without soil amendments, and use pea gravel as mulch rather than wood mulch; and (3) avoid fertilizing once plants are established. This sage performs best in well-drained soil and benefits from radiant heat, such as that provided by a nearby boulder, wall, or sidewalk.

Once established, Wild Thing is a durable, dependable garden addition that hits its stride just as many other garden plants are winding down for the season.

Planting & Care

Tips For Growing Salvia

Salvia (commonly referred to as ‘Sage’) represent a huge family of ornamental plants that attract a variety of pollinators to their nectar rich flowers. They are resistant to deer and rabbits.

  1. Plant in full sun.
  2. Plant native Western Salvia varieties in soil that is low fertility and well-drained.
  3. Plant Old World Salvia in a wide range of soils (loams, sand) including clay.
  4. Many spring-flowering varieties of sage will re-bloom in fall if deadheaded after the first bloom.
  5. New transplants need regular irrigation their first growing season to establish themselves. Once established they will need regular, deep irrigation during hot, dry weather.
  6. During fall garden clean-up, wait to cut back the plants until spring for improved cold hardiness.
  7. In colder USDA zones (zone 6 and below) it is essential to give Native Southwestern and Southwestern hybrids protection from the extreme cold their first couple winters in the garden. Mound up pine needles or fallen autumn leaves over and around the base of the plant.

Western Native Salvia: : It is from the Western US that we find our most beautiful native salvia species. For attracting hummingbirds, there are no finer flowers than the Western native sages. Typically, this group of Salvia prefer ‘lean’ (not very fertile), well drained soils. They will grow in dry clay conditions in arid climates but will rot out in clay soils where there is more than about 15 to 18” of precipitation annually.

Western Salvia include:

  • Salvia greggii - ‘Furman’s Red’, ‘Cold Hardy Pink’
  • Salvia hybrids - ‘Maraschino’, ‘Raspberry Delight’, ‘Ultra Violet’ and ‘Burgundy Seduction’.
  • Salvia pachyphylla and Salvia dorrii is recommended for arid western gardens.
  • Salvia azurea and Salvia reptans - Early fall bloomers with excellent cold hardiness.

To get established in USDA zones 5 & 6, Western Salvia (noted above) must be planted in spring or early summer, not in the fall. Protect your new plants over their first winter or two in your garden. Cover each plant with a generous pile of clean straw or pine needles. This allows the plant's crown (junction of root and branches) to mature and obtain maximum cold hardiness.

Old World Salvia: The Old World Salvia include some of the very best, most durable, longest-lived perennials. These salvia are an excellent choice for gardeners across most of the United States. ‘Old World’ Sages bloom primarily in shades of blue, pink and white. They are well adapted to cold climates and a wide range of soils including clay. The European Salvia are incredibly attractive to honey bees, many of our native bees and bumble bees as well as butterflies.

Old World varieties include:

  • Salvia syslvestris'Lyrical Rose', 'May Night', 'Little Night', 'Caradonna' and 'Marcus'.
  • Salvia daghestanica
  • Salvia verticiliata

More in-depth guidance for growing Salvia:Planting Nectar Rich Salvia to Attract Pollinators to the Garden

Shipping

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As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Some perennials are shipped as potted plants, some as perennial roots packed in peat.  The ‘Plant Information’ section describes how that item will ship. All perennials and fall-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.

Perennials and fall-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your Growing Zone. Perennial and fall-planted bulb orders will arrive separately from seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service at (801) 769-0300 or contact us by email or chat.

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Key Features

Light Requirements

  • Full Sun
  • Half Sun / Half Shade

Water Tolerance

Low-Water

Bloom Time

June to October

Advantages

  • Bee Friendly
  • Attracts Hummingbirds
  • Attracts Beneficial Insects
  • Native

Additional information

Mature Height

18-24" tall

Mature Spread

18-24" wide

Soil Type

  • Sandy Soil
  • Compost Enriched Garden Loam Soil
  • Well-Drained Soil

Soil Moisture

  • Average
  • Dry

Planting Time

  • Spring / Summer

Awards

Plant Select 2005

Native To

Texas, northern Mexico

Growing Zones

  • Zone 5
  • Zone 6
  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8
  • Zone 9
  • Zone 10

Can Send To PO Box

No

Ships to Hawaii & Alaska

No

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