How to prune salvia splendens 'vista red'

Pinch at planting; light shear when first flush fades (typically midsummer). Pinch shoot tips to 2 leaf nodes at transplant to encourage branching. When the first wave of flower spikes browns, cut stems back to the nearest healthy lateral bud or leaf pair with clean scissors or shears.

Pinch once; deadhead or shear every 3–4 weeks as needed. Salvia 'Vista Red' is a self-cleaning, compact cultivar that needs less deadheading than older salvias, but pinching at transplant time and occasional light shearing still improve bushiness and prolonged bloom. Remove spent spike clusters to prevent energy going to seed and maintain the vivid red display through frost.

Pinch shoot tips to 2 leaf nodes at transplant to encourage branching. When the first wave of flower spikes browns, cut stems back to the nearest healthy lateral bud or leaf pair with clean scissors or shears.