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Daphne and Salvias

Janie BJanie B Posts: 894
in Plants
Hi all... I'm new to this forum, but it seems a very friendly place to hang out, so here goes...

Two questions, first of all what would be the best feed for Daphnes? I have several, but know how high maintenance they are, and want to give them the very best chance...

Secondly, I have several salvias from last year ('amistad' and 'love and wishes') that are looking very dead. Will they come back to life this year... and if so, when? 

Many thanks, Janie
Lincolnshire
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Posts

  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,699
    edited April 2018
    Be patient with your Salvias. I believe love and Wishes should be fine for most British winters, but of course, it's different for everyone.

    I have to admit, the best feeds for shrubs will always be a good layer of mulch which could be compost, bark mulch or well rotted manure. The only time I feed shrubs are if there are obvious signs of stress.

    Do you know which Daphne you planted? Many are fine in neutral to alkaline soils but a small handful of Daphnes like Ponitca and Tangutica require neutral to acidic soils. If you are not sure, best to check your soil now to prepare.
  • Janie BJanie B Posts: 894
    Thanks for the info, Borderline! This is the Daphne... some sort of odora I think. I'll check it out...

    Lincolnshire
  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 3,866
    I agree with Borderline,  be patient with your salvias! My S. 'Amistad' specimens usually start making an appearance mid April (nothing yet). I lost a lovely S. 'Wendy's wish' due to heavy frost in the winter of 2016-2017. :(
    You are invited to a virtual visit of my garden (in English or in French).
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,699
    Lovely arrangement. I believe Odora are not too fussy on soils. So long as you take time to plant them in well as I keep hearing they don't like to be re-planted or being moved for some reason.
  • Janie BJanie B Posts: 894
    They have been in for years, and aren't doing too badly, but just felt they may need a little boost. The smell is so divine, I love putting a small vase in guests' rooms at this time of year...!
    Lincolnshire
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,453
    edited April 2018
    Daphne are very far from high maintenance. They are maintenance free!
    As long as they are planted in a position where they are happy.
    ..no need to dead head...no need to prune.
    Just mulch.
    Your beauty is Daphne odora aureomarginata...with gold edges...the scent is just wonderful.

    https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=daphne+odora+aureomarginata&client=firefox-b&dcr=0&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiXi5ToobXaAhXmJcAKHZs9BjgQ_AUICigB&biw=1920&bih=943


    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,162
    Agree, far from high maintenance and tangutica does well on my alkaline soil. Odora did well for years but then suffered died suddenly


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Janie BJanie B Posts: 894
    Yes, you're both right, I shouldn't have said high maintenance... I've done nothing with them for years, and they're still producing fragrant flowers year after year... just wanted to make sure things stayed that way!
    Lincolnshire
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,162
    If what you're doing is working, don't change it :)


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Chloe KravenChloe Kraven Posts: 6
    Cut your Amistad right down to 3" this weekend Janie and it may yet re-emerge in May  ;)
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