Salvia MIX Seeds

Salvia MIX brings the bold drama of Scarlet Sage (Salvia splendens) to your garden in an assortment of colours, from classic fiery scarlet to soft pink, deep purple and crisp white. The upright flower spikes rise above neat green foliage and pull in butterflies and pollinators, making this mix a standout choice for borders, mass bedding and patio containers. As a frost-tender, cool-loving annual, it shines through Egypt's mild winter rather than the peak summer heat.

Planting

Surface-sow the seed and do not cover it, as Salvia splendens needs light to germinate; simply press the seed onto a moist mix and leave it exposed. In Egypt, sow July to September, raising seedlings under 30-50% shade or in a screened nursery to beat the summer heat. Germination takes about 7-14 days at roughly 21-24 C. Transplant to beds in September-October, spacing plants 25-30 cm apart, in full sun and well-drained soil (pH about 6-7), only after frost risk has passed.

Fertilizing

Mix a slow-release fertiliser formulated for annuals into the soil at planting. A balanced general-purpose NPK feed at planting, with optional monthly applications at half strength through summer, boosts the flower count. For plants in pots, feed once a month during the growing season with a potassium-rich liquid feed, such as a tomato fertiliser.

Care

Grow in full sun for the best flowering; the plant tolerates partial shade but blooms most in bright light. Water when the top 5 cm of soil is dry, as it is fairly drought tolerant and dislikes constantly wet soil. Pinch out the shoot tips when young for bushier plants, and clip off faded spikes to keep new flowers coming through the cool Nov-Feb season. Space plants 25-30 cm apart and ensure good airflow to limit powdery mildew, Botrytis and damping-off; watch for aphids, spider mites and whiteflies.