Salvia ‘Love and Wishes’ is a popular ornamental plant, cherished by gardeners for its vibrant display and extended bloom time. This hybrid salvia, part of the ‘Wish’ series, offers an appealing combination of visual charm and garden versatility. Its ease of care makes it a favored choice for garden beds, borders, or containers, providing consistent color throughout much of the growing season. It also attracts beneficial garden visitors.
Key Characteristics
Salvia ‘Love and Wishes’ grows upright and bushy, reaching 3 to 4 feet (90-120 cm) tall and 2 to 3 feet (60-90 cm) wide. Its showy, tubular flowers are bold reddish-purple to magenta, often appearing from papery, dark burgundy bracts. These blossoms are held on dark stems, rising above its mid to deep green, glossy foliage.
The blooming season for Salvia ‘Love and Wishes’ is long, from late spring until the first autumn frost. In frost-free climates, it can bloom nearly year-round. Its extended flowering and nectar-rich blooms attract pollinators like hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. The foliage itself is often aromatic.
Planting Guidelines
The ideal time for planting these tender perennials is in late spring to early June, after all risk of frost has passed. For optimal growth and flowering, choose a location with full sun (at least six hours daily). While it thrives in full sun, it can tolerate some partial shade, especially in hotter climates.
Well-draining soil is essential for this salvia to prevent waterlogging and root rot. It adapts to various well-draining soil types, including sandy, loamy, or chalky. If your garden soil is heavy clay, incorporating organic matter and grit can improve drainage. When planting, dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Space plants about 36 inches (90 cm) apart for adequate air circulation and growth.
Ongoing Maintenance
Once established, consistent watering is beneficial, though the plant tolerates moderate drought. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings, irrigating when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. Container-grown plants require more frequent watering than those in the ground due to faster soil drying. Water the soil around the plant, avoiding splashing water on the foliage, which can help prevent disease.
Fertilization needs are low. In rich or amended soils, additional fertilizer may not be necessary. If desired, a light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring, or a thin layer of compost, can provide sufficient nutrients. Over-fertilizing should be avoided as it can promote leggy growth and reduce flowering. Deadheading (removing spent flower stems) is not strictly required but can encourage new growth and prolong blooming. Light shaping can also be done to maintain a tidy appearance.
Winter Protection
Salvia ‘Love and Wishes’ is a tender perennial, hardy in USDA Zones 9 through 11. In colder regions (below Zone 9), it is typically treated as an annual or requires overwintering measures. For plants in the ground in colder zones, applying a 3 to 4-inch layer of mulch around the base in late autumn can help insulate the roots.
Growing Salvia ‘Love and Wishes’ in containers is another strategy for colder climates. This allows them to be moved indoors to a frost-free environment (e.g., garage, unheated greenhouse) before cold weather. When bringing potted plants indoors, ensure they are in well-draining potting mix and reduce watering frequency during their dormant period. Leaving some top growth can provide extra protection in winter, with heavier pruning reserved for spring.