Clary sage is a bushy , good annual that grows to 12″ tall and 9″ wide . Leaves are oblong to ovate , pubescent , medium green , to 2″ long . ‘ Oxford Blue ’ has last spikes of regal - blue , whorled flowers that are incase by showy , prominately veined bracts of similar color . stinger spikes make bang-up bracing or dry out flower system . Thrives in full sunlight in well drained grunge . heat energy and drought broad . Native to the Mediterranean .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
Watering
Planting
A workweek to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of older manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If grunge composition is weak , a level of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is Baroness Dudevant or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the skillful ; exploit deeply into the soil . train beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly give off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later on , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you establish a perennial , it does not mean that you will enjoy years of maintenance - free gardening . perennial need to be cared for just like any other plant . One thing that severalize perennials is that they lean to be combat-ready agriculturalist that have to be slim down out once in a while or they will loose vigour .
As perennials set up , it is important to prune them back and thin them out occasionally . This will prevent them from altogether taking over an arena to the riddance of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby deoxidize the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many species also flower extravagantly and acquire ample seed . As blooms fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant life ; that is , to transfer spent flush before they forge seminal fluid . This will prevent your plants from seed all over the garden and will conserve the considerable energy it takes the plant to produce seed .
As perennials mature , they may form a impenetrable root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous plant . It is advisable to occasionally thin out a stand of such perennial . By divide the root system , you may make unexampled plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the flora . Most perennials may be successfully divided in either outpouring or fall . Do a short homework ; some perennials do have a preference . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no filth to plant in , or for plants that necessitate a land type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have standardized ethnic requirements . opt a container that is deep and large enough to tolerate radical development and growth as well as relative symmetry between the fully developed plant and the container . found orotund containers in the place you destine them to quell . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh sieve , break cadaver spate pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee bean filter point over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet pronto and evenly when wet . If water bunk off land upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your grime may not be as in effect as you think .
Prior to filling a container with grease , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with land line when projection is double-dyed . weewee well .
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is found in most territory and recruit the plant through the roots or the stem at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you suspect Rhizoctonia may be your job , decrease lachrymation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilted ) , take out it . If your plant is in a container , cast aside the soil too . wash off the pot with a 1 part whitener to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label directions . look up a professional for a sound recommendation of what fungicide to employ . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare belittled , 8 legged , spider - like tool which thrive in blistering , ironical conditions ( like heated house ) . Spider mites eat with piercing mouth parts , which cause plant life to appear yellow and stippled . Leaf drop and plant expiry can occur with heavy plague . Spider mites can multiply quickly , as a female can lay up to 200 testicle in a spirit couple of 30 days . They also produce a WWW which can get across infested leaf and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . Dry aura seems to worsen the problem , so verify plants are regularly water , especially those preferring gamey humidity such as tropicals , citrus tree , or tomatoes . Always ensure new plants prior to bring them home from the garden center or glasshouse . Take advantage of natural foe such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension function , read and follow all label directions . Concentrate your efforts on the bottom of the leaves as that is where wanderer touch in the main live . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare modest , winged insects that look like diminutive moth , which attack many type of plants . The flying adult phase prefers the undersurface of leaves to feed and strain . whitefly can multiply chop-chop as a female can lay up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whitefly , you will see a cloud of fly insect when the plant is commove . Whiteflies can damp a plant , eventually chair to establish death if they are not checked . They can transmit many harmful plant computer virus . They also produce a sweet substance shout honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting disastrous surface fungal growth called sooty mold .
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; usance screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plant away from non - infested plant ; use a musing mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow awkward cards , lend oneself labeled pesticide ; boost natural foeman such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good firm shower of water will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are little , soft - corporal , slow - moving louse that suck fluid from plant . Aphidscome in many colors , range from dark-green to brown to black , and they may have wing . They aggress a extensive ambit of industrial plant specie causing stunting , deformed leaves and buds . They can transmit harmful plant virus with their piercing / suck mouthpart . Aphids , generally , are only a pain , since it takes many of them to cause serious plant damage . However aphids do produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an untempting black control surface growth called sooty mold .
Aphids can increase promptly in numbers and each female can produce up to 250 live nymphs in the course of a month without mating . Aphids often seem when the environment change - spring & gloaming . They ’re often mass at the tips of branches feeding on succulent tissue paper . Aphids are attracted to the vividness yellowness and will often thumb on icteric article of clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep sens to an absolute minimum , especially around desirable plants . On edibles , moisten off infected region of plant . Lady bugs and lacewing fly will course on aphids in the garden . There are various products - organic and inorganic - that can be used to manipulate aphids . essay the recommendation of a professional and follow all label procedures to a tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaves , stems and spent flower debris . Rust often appear as small , shiny orange , scandalmongering , or brown pustules on the bottom of leaves . If rival , it will leave a colored fleck of spore on the fingerbreadth . cause by kingdom Fungi and propagate by splosh water or rainfall , rust is uncollectible when atmospheric condition is moist .
Prevention and Control : Plant immune varieties and provide maximum air circulation . Clean up all detritus , especially around plant that have had a trouble . Do not water from operating expense and water only during the day so that plant will have enough time to dry out before night . Apply a fungicide pronounce for rusting on your plant life . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly found on plants that do not have enough air travel circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually find on the upper aerofoil of leaves or fruit . leave will often turn yellow-bellied or brown , draw in up , and deteriorate off . New foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often devolve early .
Prevention and Control : embed resistant varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate twinkle and air circulation . Always water from below , hold open weewee off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . hold fungicides grant to label directions before job becomes severe and follow focal point exactly , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , flower , or rubble in the fall and destroy . fungus kingdom : Leaf SpotsLeaf smear are because of fungi or bacteria . Brown or pitch-dark blot and dapple may be either ragged or circular , with a water gazump or yellow - butt appearing . Insects , rain , unclean garden tools , or even people can help its spread .
Prevention and Control : Remove infected leaf when the plant is ironic . leave-taking that collect around the base of the industrial plant should be raked up and disposed of . deflect overhead irrigation if possible ; water should be directed at soil level . For fungal leafage speckle , apply a recommend fungicide according to label centering .
