Sagittaria

Salvinia

Sanvitalia

Scaevola

Salvia

Santolina

Scabiosa

 Scilla

Sagittaria - Arrowhead

Flower Color

Height

Season

Pests

Uses

Propagation

white

12"- 48"

summer

few

water gardens

seed, division

Performance - Arrowheads are reliable perennials used for water gardens in Kentucky. In nature, they are emergent aquatic plants that grow on the margins of ponds and slow moving streams. They should be planted no deeper that 12" in a water garden in a full sun location.

Sagittaria lancifolia - Lance leaf arrowhead
Sagittaria latifolia - Duck potato
Sagittaria montevidensis - Giant arrowhead
Sagittaria sagittifolia - Japanese arrowhead


Salvia - Sage, Salvia

Flower Color

Height

Season

Pests

Uses

Propagation

red, pink, purple, lavender, white, blue

12"- 48"

summer

few

bedding, border, mass, specimen, cut flower

seed, cuttings, division


Performance - The Salvias are a large group of annual, tender perennial and reliably perennial plants that are well suited to Kentucky gardens. They should be planted in full sun in good well drained garden soils.

Comments - A recommendation common to most types is to remove spent flowers to encourage more flowering. Fertilizer applications are necessary during the summer to keep the plants growing and flowering well. Some are short day plants and only flower in September or October. They may flower so late that they will be damaged by frost.

Salvia farinacea - Mealy Cup Sage, Blue Salvia - An outstanding annual flower in Kentucky gardens, one of the best. It tolerates our hot dry summer weather well. It is also an excellent dried flower. 'Blue Bedder', 'Rhea', 'Strata', 'Victoria’, 'Victoria White'.

Salvia officinalis - Common Sage - This is the culinary sage. This salvia is a reliable perennial for Kentucky gardens, but many gardeners have difficulty with it. Well drained soils, even a raised bed, are necessary for success with this plant. 'Aurea', 'Purpurescens', 'Tricolor'.

Salvia splendens - Scarlet Sage, Red Salvia - This common annual flower is well known for the bright red color that it brings to the Kentucky landscape. This plant should be planted in partial shade garden locations in well drained soils. They definitely need regular watering, regular fertilizer applications and pruning during the summer. 'Bonfire', 'Carabiniere Scarlet', 'Empire' series, 'Fuego', 'Red Hot Sally', 'Salsa' series, 'Sizzler' series, 'St. Johns Fire', 'Vista' series.

Salvia x sylvestris - Hybrid Sage, Meadow Sage - These salvias are often labeled as Salvia nemorosa or Salvia superba in garden stores. They are excellent perennials for Kentucky gardens. The plants flower strongly in early May with blue, rose or white flowers; they will flower sporadically all summer as long as plants are fertilized and dead flowers are removed. 'Blue Hill', 'Blue Queen', 'East Friesland', 'May Night' (1997 Perennial Plant of the Year), 'Rose Queen', 'White Hill'.

Blue Salvia ‘Victoria

Scarlet Sage ‘Saluti’ at Kieft Seeds


Salvinia rotundifolia - Floating Moss, Floating Fern

Flower Color

Height

Season

Pests

Uses

Propagation

no flowers

less than 1"

summer

few

water garden

division

Performance - Salvinia is a small floating fern that is grown as an annual in Kentucky water gardens. It is the least aggressive of  floating plants in water gardens.

Comments - The round leaves have large hairs on the upper surface that trap air so the plant will not sink nor be turned over in the water.


Santolina chamaecyparissum - Lavender Cotton

Flower Color

Height

Season

Pests

Uses

Propagation

yellow

8"- 24"

summer

few

border, edging

cuttings

Performance - Santolina is a relatively reliable perennial for Kentucky gardens. It is used for pruned edging in herb gardens, but some years individual plants will die due to stem or root diseases. This type of hedge requires a dedicated gardener. Shearing or pruning the plants after bloom is beneficial.

Comments - This plant and S. virens, which has needle-like dark green foliage, are both considered aromatic herbs. The foliage of both has a strong odor and was used as a moth repellent. The blooms are button-shaped. Although the blooms are attractive, the plant is really grown for the gray-green foliage.


 

Creeping zinnia ‘Sunbini from Proven Winners

Sanvitalia procumbens - Creeping Zinnia

Flower Color

Height

Season

Pests

Uses

Propagation

yellow, orange

4"- 10"

summer

few

border, edging

seed, cuttings

Performance - The small flowered creeping zinnia is a reliable annual for Kentucky gardens. It tolerates our summer heat and drought very well and is disease resistant. Plant in full sun in well drained garden soils.

Comments - This plant is not common in garden stores because it spreading form does not fit bedding plant packs too well.

Varieties - 'Gold Braid', 'Golden Carpet', 'Mandarin Orange', ‘Sunbini’, 'Yellow Carpet'.

 


 

‘Butterfly Blue’

Scabiosa - Pincushion Flower

Flower Color

Height

Season

Pests

Uses

Propagation

Light blue, pink, white

18"- 24"

summer

few

border, cut

seeds, division


Performance - Scabiosas are cool season annual and perennial flowers that are generally reliable in Kentucky gardens. Excellent when planted in masses. Mulch in the summer will help growth. Pincushion flowers prefer a cool, humid climate.

Comments – Scabiosa can be an excellent cut flower. Remove faded flowers to promote additional flowering.

Varieties -
S. atropurpurea - annual, 'Double', 'Imperial Giants' mix.
S. caucasica - perennial, 'Perfecta Alba', 'Blue Perfection', 'Bressingham White', 'Compliment', 'Fama', 'Miss Wilmont'.
S. columbaria - perennial, 'Butterfly Blue' (2000 Perennial Plant of the Year), 'Blue Mist', 'Pink Mist'.


Scaevola aemulis - Fan Flower

Flower Color

Height

Season

Pests

Uses

Propagation

blue, white

4"- 10"

summer

few

bedding, edging, containers

cuttings

Performance - The fan flower is a relatively new annual flower that performs well during Kentucky summers. Plant in full sun locations in well drained soils.

Comments - Most gardeners do not buy this plant for gardens, because it is common in containers and hanging baskets. But it is an excellent annual flower for the landscape.

Varieties - 'New Wonder', 'Blue Wonder'


‘Spring Beauty’

Scilla siberica - Siberian Squill

Flower Color

Height

Season

Pests

Uses

Propagation

blue

6"

early spring

crown rot

grassed areas, rock gardens, natural woodlands

division of bulbs

Performance - Siberian Squill will grow well in shade and full sun gardens in a well drained soil.  Its bright blue flowers are excellent for woodland areas in the spring.

Comments - Some of the species of Scilla are poisonous. This is one of the few spring flowering bulbs that you can plant into your lawn and have them perform well year after year. The plants are nearly dormant by the time it is necessary to mow the lawn for the first time.


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Department of Horticulture

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