Deciduous or semi-evergreen, soft stem Salvias

These are species whose stems never develop a woody character and that either die to the ground or loose leaves and become unsightly at the end of a growing season. This group includes both hardy and tender types. Many of the tender forms are grown as annuals in cold winter areas.

Pruning is both an art and a science. It takes practice, experience and learning from your mistakes to become a proficient pruner. The pruning information about this plant should be considered as a guideline for getting started. Your particular climate, soils, watering and fertility schedules, sun exposure, space requirements and weather are all factors that influence how and when you choose to prune. We’re providing a starting place for you, and over time you will learn the particularities of this plant in your garden. Don’t be afraid to get started – Salvias, in general, are quick to rebound if inappropriately pruned.

Deadheading – the removal of spent flowers, is a practice that will always benefit the plant’s health and appearance. This can be done at any time. Pruning involves removal of entire stems of spent growth. Becoming "spent" means that flowering stems stop blooming and begin going to seed.

Growing Season Pruning

During the spring and summer, you can completely cut to the ground any stems that have finished blooming and are becoming unsightly.

In mild climate areas, growth can be so rapid that the entire plant becomes messy and spent mid-way through the season. In this case, it can be cut back close to the ground – given a short “haircut”. The result usually is fresh, vigorous new growth and another round of flowering.

Dormant Season Pruning

At the end of the growing season or after the first frost the spent stems can be completely removed, cut to the ground. Often these are a tangled mess, and one can get great satisfaction by cutting them all off. This also facilitates good garden sanitation, and will help to control pests over the winter.

Check the Views from the Garden section of our Everything Salvias Blog for videos that apply to this plant.

Salvia Fashion Cherry

(Fashion Cherry Sage) Pendulous cherry-red blossoms and dark bracts make Salvia Fashion Cherry™ an eyecatcher. Although it looks like an Australian Wish Sage, it’s a cross between North and South American species.

Common name This is the non-scientific name used for a plant. A plant may have several common names, depending on the gardener's location. To further confuse the matter, a common name may be shared by several completely different plants. At Flowers by the Sea, we rely on the scientific name to identify our plants and avoid confusion.	Fashion Cherry Sage
USDA Zones The U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones indicate the temperature zones where a plant is likely to thrive. It is determined by the average annual winter minimum temperature. Actual winter temperatures may be higher or lower than the average.	9 - 11
Size (h/w/fh) The anticipated mature size of the plant: Height, Width & Flower Height.	24"/36"+/36"
Exposure This is the average amount of sunlight that a plant needs to thrive. Generally, full sun exposure is 6 or more hours of direct sun daily while partial shade is less than 4 hours of sun or dappled shade all day. Plants may tolerate more sunlight in cooler climates and need afternoon shade in extremely hot climates.	Full sun to partial shade
Soil type This is the kind of soil that a plant needs to thrive. Most plants require a well-drained soil that allows the water to soak into the soil without becoming soggy. Sandy and clay soils can be improved by digging in compost to improve drainage.	Rich and well drained
Water needs Plants have specific water requirements. Water loving means the plant needs regular watering to keep the soil moist. Average generally indicates applying 1 inch of water per week, or watering when the soil is dry to a depth of 3 to 4 inches. One inch of water is equal to 5 gallons per square yard of soil surface.	Average
Container plant? "Yes" indicates that this plant can be successfully grown as a container plant.	Yes
Patent # This plant is patented, or a patent application has been filed and is pending and may not be propagated, under U.S. Federal Code, Title 35, Part II, Chapter 15 §161 without a license from the patent holder.	PPAF
Hummingbird plant? Hummingbirds have been observed regularly feeding from this plant's flowers.	Yes
Mature height The mature height of this plant in average conditions.	2 to 3 feet
Mature spread The mature width of this plant in average conditions.	3 to 4 feet

High Resolution Images

Degree of Difficulty
Easy

This plant is easy to grow in a variety of conditions.

(Fashion Cherry Sage) Pendulous cherry-red blossoms and dark bracts make Salvia Fashion Cherry™ an eyecatcher. Although it looks like an Australian Wish Sage, it's a cross between North and South American species.

Fashion Cherry Sage is a hybrid of South America's Salvia splendens (Scarlet Sage) and Mexico's Salvia buchananii (Buchanan's Sage). Both tolerate heat, require only average supplemental watering, and grow well in shade. It's a good guess that Salvia Fashion Cherry will thrive in similar conditions in your landscape. Plant it in well-drained, loamy soil.

A perennial in warmer zones, Fashion Cherry is an excellent annual in colder winter areas due to rapid growth and long bloom. Its short, compact form make this sage a standout container-garden choice. Southern California's Green-Fuse Botanicals, which works with independent plant breeders, introduced this lovely, easy-to-grow Salvia in 2019.

Pair Fashion Cherry with Fashion Burgundy Sage for a dramatic border or pot planting.