Summer finally arrived a couple of months late. The long spring has caused a lot of growth and consequently, darn it, a lot of chopping to be done. I have read that Salvia greggii should not be pruned or deadheaded. However, my experience has been that, if I don't prune them after blooming, Salvia greggii becomes woody and suffers more from drought. It is native to Mexico where there are summer thunderstorms. Californian summers are much drier and large plants are stressed in our climate. You can water salvias once a month, or let them dry out completely. They almost always leaf out again in the rainy season. Salvia chamedryoides always does better if it is clipped back after spring and fall blooming. This Salvia enjoys part shade inland, or sunshine at the beach. Once established it is drought tolerant, but as it is also from northern Mexico a monthly soaking in summer will improve its looks. The silver leaves and bright blue flowers make this plant irresistable.
Late spring or early summer is the time to cut back Matijila poppies, after blooming. I cut them back to the ground every summer or else they become leggy and unattractive. Rain will bring them right back to life.
