Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the influence of accompanying plants as well as bark mulching, common for green areas, on the growth, flowering and decorative values of scarlet sage <i>Salvia splendens</i> Sellow ex Roem. et Schult. The field experiment included two cultivars of sage: ‘Red Torreador’ and ‘Luna’; two species of accompanying plants: French marigold – <i>Tagetes patula nana</i> L. ‘Petit Gold’ and flossflower – <i>Ageratum houstonianum</i> Mill.; as well as pine bark mulching. The control group was a monoculture of scarlet sage, without mulching. Pine bark mulching had a beneficial influence on almost all growth and flowering characteristics of scarlet sage. The plants growing on mulched soil were higher, had more leaves and branches as well as their inflorescences were longer and had more whorls than the plants growing without mulching. <i>S. splendens</i> growing with other species had fewer leaves and fewer branches. Its side stems and lateral inflorescences were shorter. The accompanying species also limited the mass of scarlet sage. The vicinity of marigold and flossflower had no influence on the height of <i>S. splendens</i> plants, the number of whorls and flowers within inflorescences. The growth of scarlet sage was largely modified by weather conditions; the plants grew best between June 20<sup>th</sup> and July 18<sup>th</sup>, with the best decorative effect achieved in July. The drought caused the flowers to dry out during the second half of the summer each year, limiting the decorative values of sage.
Highlights
Scarlet sage, Salvia splendens Sellow ex Roem. et Schult., is a plant originating from Brazil where it is a perennial and is locally used as a medicinal and spice plant
The plants growing on mulched soil were higher, had more leaves and branches as well as their inflorescences were longer and had more whorls than the plants growing without mulching
Pine bark mulching of the soil had a beneficial influence on almost all growth and flowering characteristics of scarlet sage
Summary
Salvia splendens Sellow ex Roem. et Schult., is a plant originating from Brazil where it is a perennial and is locally used as a medicinal and spice plant. Scarlet sage is very frequently used to decorate parks and green areas within cities. It is suitable for borders, rock gardens, and for cultivation in containers. It blossoms richly and is suitable for large area plantations in public areas It fills empty spaces and is frequently accompanied by other summer flowers. It is very presentable when accompanied by blue lobelia, violet flossflowers or yellow marigold. It is best planted on sandy-clay, fertile soils which are carefully cultivated and moderately humid. The best stand for scarlet sage is a sunny spot, but it grows in half-shadow (Chmiel , 2000; Chojnowska and Chojnowski , 2002; Devecchi , 2006; Kumar , 2011)
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