Mirage sage (Salvia greggii): growing tips

Blooming from June to October, without interruption, the Mirage sage series is available in many colors to adorn balconies, terraces, beds, and mixed borders at will. The compact and dense habit of these plants in no way detracts from the lightness they inspire. Honey-bearing, they attract pollinating insects to your garden and give off a sweet scent.

Characteristics

Soil: drained and humus-
bearing Spacing: 30 cm between 2 plants
Planting: in April / May
Flowering: from June to October
Exposure: sun
Use: pot, planter, bed, border and mixed-border
Height: 30 cm

Culture

The Mirage series is available from white to pink, including red and blue/purple. The compact and homogeneous habit of this perennial sage, in the mildest regions, ensures it has multiple uses in the garden as well as on a terrace or a balcony. Easy to grow, it only requires a sunny location to flower for long months, tolerating heat as long as it is watered occasionally.

• Not very hardy, it is necessary to wait until May to plant it in the ground in the garden. Once the soil has been cleared of weeds and loosened with an organic fork, soak the root ball in the water at room temperature to hydrate it well.
• Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball in all directions. Install the Mirage sage in the center of the hole, being careful not to bury its collar. Firm the base of the plant before watering copiously. Space the plants 30 cm apart.
• When planting in a pot, choose a container pierced at the bottom so that the water can flow without constraint, because the plant fears constant humidity at the roots. Leave a layer of clay balls at the bottom of the pot to ensure good drainage for the same reason. Fill the pot with good commercial potting soil and place the plant in its center. Insert a dice or two of slow-release fertilizer into the potting soil. Tamp down and water copiously.
• Level maintenance, this sage is not difficult, only a little watering will be necessary when the soil dries on 5 cm on the surface of the ground. In pots: be careful, because the substrate dries faster, especially in full sun and on windy days! Water then up to 2 to 3 times a week, without ever leaving water in the saucer. Add a liquid fertilizer ‘Special flowering plants’ every 15 days during the growth period.
• Remove faded flowers to induce the appearance of new flowers.
• Overwinter the frost-free pots in a bright room from the first frost to spare your sage from frost. In the softer regions, it can remain in the ground, it will then be pruned 10 cm from the ground before being mulched to protect the stump.

use

Compact and vaporous at the same time, Mirage sage is generous when it comes to blooming! In borders, it brings color and lightness just like in beds or mixed-border. In a pot, on a balcony or on a terrace, it gives a very natural, countryside and will attract all the butterflies of the surroundings!