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Salvia coccinea is often confused with:
Salvia elegans Salvia elegans
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Coreopsis auriculata Flower and leaves
Coreopsis lanceolata flowers and leaves
Coreopsis verticillata Coreopsis verticillata
Salvia coccinea has some common disease problems:
Southern Bacterial Wilt on Herbaceous Ornamental Plants

Salvia coccinea

Phonetic Spelling
SAL-vee-ah kok-SIN-ee-ah
Description

Scarlet sage is a member of the Lamiaceae (mint) family and is native to Mexico and the southeastern United States. It is perennial in warmer climates and annual where winter temperatures are below freezing. The genus name Salvia is derived from the Latin term salveo, which means ‘be well’ and refers to the plant's medicinal properties.

Scarlet sage is best grown in full sun to partial shade in sandy, fertile soil but will tolerate clay soil with good drainage. It grows 1 to 3 feet in height and 1 to 2.5 feet in width. It tolerates drought but will flower more abundantly with watering during dry spells. Scarlet sage reseeds easily.

The bright red flowers are an inch long and arranged in loose whorls along the upright stem and bloom continuously from early summer to the first frost. They are attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies.  

Though it looks similar to pineapple sage (Salvia elegans), which has edible flowers, the flowers of scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea) are NOT edible. Crush a flower. If it smells like sage or grass, it is scarlet sage; do not eat it. If it smells like pineapple, it is edible.

Good locations for scarlet sage are walkways, coastal, and naturalized areas. Use it as a border or mass planting in a butterfly, cottage, pollinator, or drought-tolerant garden.

Insect, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No significant problems.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. 

More information on Salvia.

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See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Coral Nymph' (also called' Cherry Blossom')
    bicolor flowers of white and deep pinkish coral or salmon
  • 'Forest Fire'
    fire-red flowers with reddish-black calyxes.
  • 'Lady in Red'
    shorter and more free-flowering than other cultivars
  • 'Snow Nymph'
    white blossoms
  • 'Summer Jewel Pink'
    light pink flowers
  • 'Summer Jewel Red'
    red flowers, compact growth
'Coral Nymph' (also called' Cherry Blossom'), 'Forest Fire', 'Lady in Red', 'Snow Nymph', 'Summer Jewel Pink', 'Summer Jewel Red'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#red flowers#cottage garden#deer resistant#border planting#cutting garden#pollinator plant#border middle#sandy soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#wildlife friendly#hs303
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Coral Nymph' (also called' Cherry Blossom')
    bicolor flowers of white and deep pinkish coral or salmon
  • 'Forest Fire'
    fire-red flowers with reddish-black calyxes.
  • 'Lady in Red'
    shorter and more free-flowering than other cultivars
  • 'Snow Nymph'
    white blossoms
  • 'Summer Jewel Pink'
    light pink flowers
  • 'Summer Jewel Red'
    red flowers, compact growth
'Coral Nymph' (also called' Cherry Blossom'), 'Forest Fire', 'Lady in Red', 'Snow Nymph', 'Summer Jewel Pink', 'Summer Jewel Red'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#red flowers#cottage garden#deer resistant#border planting#cutting garden#pollinator plant#border middle#sandy soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#wildlife friendly#hs303
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Salvia
    Species:
    coccinea
    Family:
    Lamiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mexico, southeastern United States
    Distribution:
    Coastal; South Carolina to Florida; west to Texas.
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Vase
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Schizocarp
    Fruit Description:
    Schizocarp has 4 chambers with 1 nutlet each
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long Bloom Season
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    two-lipped, with smaller upper lip and larger lower lip
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Deltoid
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Crenate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    medium green, hairy leaves are roughly triangular, oval or heart-shaped, with scalloped edges.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Square
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Square stems are covered with short hairs as well as long spreading hairs.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Naturalized Area
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Heat