Silke's Dream Salvia Salvia 'Silke's Dream'
ABOUT
Salvia 'Silke's Dream' is a vibrant perennial plant with striking features. It exhibits a dense habitation with lush foliage. The leaves are rich green, with a textured surface that may appear slightly ruffled or wrinkled, emanating a refreshing herbal scent when touched or crushed. The most captivating aspect of 'Silke's Dream' is its stunning flowers. They bloom in magisterial displays of vivid warm colors, typically a fusion of red and orange hues, sometimes described as coral or apricot. These blossoms are tubular, attracting a variety of pollinators such as bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. The flowers are arranged in spiked inflorescences, rising prominently above the foliage to create a compelling visual contrast. The overall impression of Salvia 'Silke's Dream' is one of a robust and colorful plant, bursting with life and adding a touch of the dramatic to any garden space where it is grown. This plant is well-loved for its easy care requirements and the long-lasting splash of color it provides throughout its blooming period.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Silke's Dream Salvia, Silke's Dream Sage
Common names
Salvia 'Silke's Dream'.
ToxicityTo humans
Silke's Dream Sage, commonly known as Salvia, is generally considered non-toxic to humans. However, it is always advisable to avoid ingesting any plant material unless it is known to be safe for consumption. There have been no widely reported cases of poisoning from ingesting Salvia 'Silke's Dream'. Nevertheless, if someone were to ingest a large amount of plant material and experience adverse symptoms, it would be prudent to seek medical advice.
To pets
Silke's Dream Sage, the common name for this variety of Salvia, is also generally considered non-toxic to pets, including cats and dogs. It does not typically cause any serious symptoms of poisoning if ingested in small quantities. However, as with any non-food plant, ingestion of large amounts could potentially cause mild gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. If a pet ingests Silke's Dream Sage and shows signs of distress, it is recommended to contact a veterinarian.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Spread
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
7
Native area
Mexico
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Salvia 'Silke's Dream' is known for attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, which is crucial for pollination in the garden.
- Drought Tolerant: This plant has good drought tolerance once established, making it suitable for xeriscaping or areas with water restrictions.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care beyond the basic needs of watering, occasional feeding, and pruning to keep it looking its best.
- Colorful Blooms: Offers vibrant and colorful flowers that can add visual interest to a garden, typically ranging in warm shades of pink and orange.
- Long Blooming Period: Produces flowers for an extended period, often from late spring through frost, providing long-lasting beauty.
- Deer Resistant: Less likely to be eaten by deer, making it suitable for gardens in areas where deer browse.
- Attractive Foliage: Features attractive foliage that serves as a perfect backdrop for its colorful flowers and for other plants in the landscape.
- Herbaceous Perennial: Comes back year after year, providing a reliable element in a garden design.
- Multipurpose Landscaping: Can be used in a variety of garden settings, including borders, container gardens, and rock gardens.
- Fast Growing: Establishes quickly after planting, allowing for a rapidly maturing garden.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Salvia 'Silke's Dream' can be used as a natural dye for fabrics, imparting a range of colors depending on the mordant used.
- The flowers of Salvia 'Silke's Dream' are edible and can add color and a slight sage flavor to salads and desserts.
- It can serve as an ornamental addition to floral arrangements, providing a splash of color with its vibrant orange-red blossoms.
- The plant can be incorporated into a sensory garden for its textured foliage and aromatic leaves which release scent when touched.
- Salvia 'Silke's Dream' works well as a natural pest repellent in the garden due to its strong scent that can deter certain insects.
- The plant can be used for educational purposes in schools and community gardens to teach about pollinator-friendly gardening.
- In horticulture therapy, the growing of Salvia 'Silke's Dream' might be used as part of a therapeutic activity for individuals with special needs.
- It can act as a cover crop in gardens, helping to suppress weeds and improve soil health with its dense growth.
- Salvia 'Silke's Dream' can be used as a companion plant in vegetable gardens to attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies.
- The dried stems and flowers can be used in crafting, such as making potpourri or adding to homemade candles for decoration.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Salvia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Salvia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Healing: Many species of Salvia, commonly known as Sage, are associated with healing due to their medicinal properties.
- Wisdom: Sage is often symbolic of wisdom and immortality, stemming from its long history of use in spiritual and ritualistic practices.
- Cleansing: Sage is frequently used in smudging ceremonies for cleansing spaces from negative energy, thus symbolizing purification.
- Protection: Carrying the traits of its genus, Salvia 'Silke's Dream' may be considered to represent protection from evil spirits and misfortune.
- Longevity: Given the plant's hardiness and longevity, it can symbolize endurance and the ability to thrive through adversity.
WaterSilke's Dream Salvia requires moderate watering, typically about once a week, allowing the soil to slightly dry out between waterings. It is recommended to provide deep watering, which usually equates to around 1 to 1.5 gallons for an outdoor plant in moderate climates, depending on the size and the environmental conditions. When watering, avoid splashing water on the foliage to prevent any foliar diseases. During the hotter, dry months, increase the frequency of watering to ensure the plant's roots are sufficiently hydrated. Be sure to reduce watering during the winter when the plant's growth slows down.
LightSilke's Dream Salvia thrives in full sun to partial shade, but for the best flowering results, a location with full sun exposure is ideal. At least six hours of direct sunlight is recommended for this plant to ensure healthy growth and optimal bloom production. If you are planting indoors, choose a bright, sunny window where it can receive plenty of natural light throughout the day.
TemperatureSilke's Dream Salvia prefers temperature ranges between 50 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit but can tolerate temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit for short periods. The ideal temperature range for robust growth and flowering is between 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit may necessitate more frequent watering to prevent stress on the plant.
PruningPruning Silke's Dream Salvia is important to encourage new growth and maintain a desirable shape. Prune lightly in early spring to remove any winter damage and again after the first flush of flowers to promote a second bloom cycle. Pruning can be done as often as needed to remove spent flowers and keep the plant tidy. The best time for significant pruning is immediately after the plant has finished its main flowering period.
CleaningAs needed
SoilFor Salvia 'Silke's Dream', also known as 'Silke's Dream' Sage, the ideal soil mix should be well-draining, enriched with organic matter, and have a pH ranging from slightly acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0). A mixture of garden soil, compost, and perlite or sand in equal parts is recommended to provide the necessary drainage and nutrients.
Repotting'Silke's Dream' Sage should generally be repotted every 1-2 years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth. It is best done in the spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing.
Humidity & Misting'Silke's Dream' Sage prefers moderate humidity levels but is quite adaptable and does not require specific humidity conditions. It thrives in the natural humidity of outdoor environments and can tolerate the drier air of indoor settings if not too extreme.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright light and well-draining soil.
Outdoor
Plant in sun, well-draining soil, water regularly.
Hardiness zone
7-10 USDA
Life cycleSilke's Dream Salvia, a herbaceous perennial, begins its life cycle as a seed, which germinates in warm soil conditions, often in late winter or early spring. Following germination, the seedling emerges and develops into a young plant with characteristic sage-like foliage. As it matures, Silke's Dream Salvia undergoes vegetative growth, forming a sturdy stem and a bushy structure with vibrant green leaves. During the flowering stage, which typically occurs in late spring to summer, the plant produces striking reddish-pink flowers that attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. After pollination, the flowers will produce seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. During the dormant stage in winter, the above-ground parts of the plant may die back, especially in colder climates, but the root system remains alive to regenerate the next spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Salvia 'Silke's Dream', also known as Mexican bush sage, is often propagated through stem cuttings. The best time to propagate is in late spring to early summer when the plant is actively growing. To propagate through stem cuttings, a gardener takes a healthy, non-flowering stem from the parent plant, ideally about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) in length. The lower leaves are then removed and the cut end is dipped in rooting hormone powder to encourage root development. Next, the cutting is placed in a well-draining soil mix and is kept moist but not waterlogged. It is important to maintain a high humidity environment for the cutting, which can be achieved by covering it with a clear plastic bag or container. Roots typically develop within a few weeks, after which the new plant can be transplanted into the garden or a larger container.
