Salvia splendens
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Salvia brasiliensis
- Salvia colorans
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAL-vee-ah SPLEN-denz
- Description
-
Scarlet sage is a tender perennial in the Lamiaceae (mint) family native to Brazil that is grown as an annual in North Carolina. It grows from 1 to 3 feet high and 8 to 10 inches wide. The genus name Salvia comes from the Latin word salveo meaning ‘to save or heal’ and refers to the medicinal properties attributed to some plants in the genus. The specific epithet means splendid.
This low maintenance plant prefers full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. Propagate scarlet sage by stem cutting.
Flowers are typically red, and bloom a long time, from summer to frost. The tubular showy flowers provide nectar to local butterflies and hummingbirds. Cultivars are available in various shades of red, pink, blue, lavender, orange, and white.
Use scarlet sage in the middle of beds or borders or use their bright cherry red blooms to provide an accent in a cottage or pollinator themed garden. The flowers can also add interest indoors if scarlet sage is added to a cutting garden. Compact selections are good for edging and in containers.
Quick ID
- Terminal clusters of scarlet flowers
- Calyx is two-lipped, broad
- Corolla is elongate-tubular, upper lobes overtop lower
- Opposite ovate leaves extend from square twigs
Insects, 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.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Lighthouse Red'
- 'St. John's Fire'
- 'Vista Red White'
- 'Lighthouse Red'
- 'Lighthouse Red', 'St. John's Fire', 'Vista Red White'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Lighthouse Red'
- 'St. John's Fire'
- 'Vista Red White'
- 'Lighthouse Red'
- 'Lighthouse Red', 'St. John's Fire', 'Vista Red White'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Salvia
- Species:
- splendens
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Brazil
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 0 ft. 10 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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 Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10b, 10a, 11b, 11a
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers red to scarlet; calyx scarlet, zygomorphic, 2-lipped, persisting in fruit with color fading; corolla scarlet, elongate tubular, to 1.3 inches long, ephemeral, short-lived, upper lobes longer than lower lobes. Inflorescence a terminal verticillate raceme; verticillasters 2-6 flowered.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- opposite, petiolate, ovate, crenate, short acuminate,rotund to subcordate, glabrate
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Description:
- Erect, 8-30" tall square stems
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
