I would pinch just the very tips to encourage branching. Continue doing that to the tips until the plant reaches the fullness you desire.

I grow 'Anthony Parker' and I really like it. It makes a beautiful display in fall and winter. I just cut it back to its slower leaves two weekends ago.

Jen

Nice to know that this Salvia...which I believe is a hybrid of S. leucantha x S. elegans...flowers well for you. In the UK, this has not flowered well at all, presumably due to the cool and cloudy climate. Other hybrids such as 'Waverly' and 'Phyllis' Fancy' perform well here. After 3 years trying to get 'Anthony Parker' to flower well, I have given up. I will just enjoy seeing this beautiful plant flower in warmer conditions.

Robin.

Cembh, you're in for a treat!

I inadvertently watered this little darling on a regular basis (weekly), rather than biweekly, as I'd planned. It just kept growing and growing and....whew! And all of this in the first year!

I felt sick when I had to cut it back about a month ago in preparation for spring growth. :)

Brenda

Wow! Did you start with one plant? If so, I had better move mine.

LOL Yeah, that's ONE plant, but as I said, maybe it was because I over watered it. The branches were pretty brittle, as well, probably due to too much water, and the wind took out some of the center ones. If you can plant it in a protected area, that would be good.

Have fun with Mr. Parker! :)

Brenda

i was wondering does salvia come back every year?

Most Salvias are perennials somewhere in the world; you'd need to ask a local nursery which are perennials where you live.