Yet more pruning advice ...

Yes, it is another post about pruning! Although most perennials should be cut back almost to the ground - including soft-stemmed Salvias – the woody-stemed Salvias, such as Hot Lips, microphylla and Royal Bumble, are an exception.

When the first flush of flowers look tired get out the scissors (or secateurs if you have mature specimens) and cut back by about half. This is also a good opportunity to tidy up scruffy, straggly plants. New blooms should soon appear to provide colour till late autumn.

Another perennial that should only be cut back by half is Penstemon, an evergreen which comes in an array of colours.