Salvia Hot Lips

SuzyMitchell

Hello there, I have a Salvia Hot Lips which is really quite large and produces gorgeous flowers year after year. I normally cut it back after flowering in about October time. However, as I have been away, I wasn’t able to do this last year. Can I cut it back now, or should I wait until slightly warmer Spring weather in case it gets hit by frost? I have heard of the ‘Chelsea Chop’ about May time, but I’m presuming that this might be too late to wait? Would love some top tips with this one! Many thanks.

Mark56

Definitely wait, we have another cold front coming in this weekend with frosty temperatures

Dovefromabove

I always leave my 'shrubby' salvias like Hotlips until they start to leaf up before cutting back by two thirds.  

Borderline

The 'Chelsea Chop' extends or delays certain plants into flowering two times or flowering later in a more compact shape, creating less floppiness and more branching for flowers. Only suits plants that start growing quite early in the season. In the case of shrubby Salvias, they wake up quite late in April, so it's better to go for the 'Hampton Court' Chop in some cases.

SuzyMitchell

Thank you All, very useful advice.