Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Tuesday - April 15, 2014
From: Gray, GA
Region: Southeast
Topic: Problem Plants, Herbs/Forbs, Trees
Title: Why do conifers kill Texas hummingbird sage from Gray GA
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Why do conifers kill Texas hummingbird sage?ANSWER:
First, we need to establish some plant identities. We found several websites referring to a salvia as Texas Hummingbird Sage, or Texas Sage or Hummingbird Sage; for instance, this one from Fine Gardening, this one from Seeds of Change or from Dave's Garden, all of which refer to the plant as Salvia coccinea, which we find in our Native Plant Database as Salvia coccinea (Scarlet sage). There is also a plant in our database referred to as Salvia spathacea (Hummingbird sage). According to this USDA Plant Profile Map, Salvia spathacea is endemic to California; i.e., growing nowhere else in North America. When we check the Plant Profile Map on Salvia coccinea, we find that, while it does grow in a few places in Georgia, it is not reported as growing in Jones County, in Central Georgia.
We are going to put all this confusion down to creative trade names, and say that the best chance for a salvia growing in Georgia being the one you have purchased as Salvia coccinea (Scarlet sage). In this research, we found no indication of a conifer being poisonous to any sage, so let's look a little further.
Growing Conditions for Salvia spathacea (Hummingbird sage):
"Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Various mesic to slightly moist soils.
Conditions Comments: This perennial is easy to grow and deer proof."
Growing Conditions for Salvia coccinea (Scarlet sage):
"Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil Description: Caliche type, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay
Conditions Comments: Scarlet sage reseeds easily and will grow in the shade. It has pungent foliage that makes it fairly deer resistant. Periodically trim and deadhead to keep it bushy."
From that, it does not seem that simply shade from a conifer or any other tree would have caused either salvia to die. We do know that the fallen plant material from conifers tends to be acidic, thus influencing the soil beneath them to be more acidic.
Frankly, we can't verify that conifers kill salvias. Heavy shade from a nearby large conifer, the acidity of fallen needles from a conifer or just competition between the salvia and the conifer roots could all affect the outcome. Mr. Common Sense says if you have had this problem in your garden, don't plant salvias under conifers.
From the Image Gallery
More Herbs/Forbs Questions
Texas sage near a granite outcropping from Llano TX
June 10, 2013 - I have a large granite outcropping near my house. There are pockets that have spring flowers growing in them and is just beautiful in the spring. I want to plant other native plants in and about the g...
view the full question and answer
Will Echinacea outgrow Spanish Needle?
July 07, 2016 - I'd like to plant some Echinacea in an area where Spanish Needle has been growing. I've pulled up the old plants, but I know there's seed there, actually everywhere in my yard! Is there any variety ...
view the full question and answer
Smarty Plants on dutchmans pipe
July 24, 2005 - How do I care for and transplant dutchman pipe?
view the full question and answer
Showy Low Growing Perennial for Michigan
June 03, 2013 - I have been looking for a native perennial that would do well in full sun and moist to dry soil. It would have to be at most 2.5' tall and have showy pink, purple, or red flowers. Is there such a pla...
view the full question and answer
Plants for a sunny, dry slope in NY
March 01, 2010 - Looking for plants, native to area, that are quick growing to a height of approximately 6" to 12" for a steep slope comprised of shale in a sunny location.
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |