Salvia splendens

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Plant
ID 304 Salvia splendens
Botanic Name Salvia splendens
Common Name Scarlet Sage, Salvia
Family Name Lamiaceae
Cultivars 'Agena','Snowkist','White Fire','Scarlet Pygmy','Salsa Burgundy','Van Houttie'
Origin Brazil, Mexico, 1822, Zone 9-12
Growth Type Perennial
Bark Type Soft wooded
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use High
No. of Species 900
Growth Habit Spreading-ascending Growth Rate Fast
Height 0.4 - 0.6 m (1 - 2 ft) Spread 0.3 m (1 ft)
Plant Overview
This bi-annual or short lived perennial has ascending branches that form a compact bushy habit. It has dark green ovate leaves and the small scarlet tube-shaped flowers appear in a spike above the foliage from summer to autumn.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Ovate
The dark green ovate leaves have margins that is crenate to serrate and the apex is acuminate. The petiole is as long as the leaf up to 80 mm (3 1/8 in).
Arrangement Opposite
Margin Crenate
Colour Dark green
Size 60 - 80 mm ( 2.4 - 3.1 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape Tubulate
The red tubulate flowers have a persistent corolla that protrudes from the campanulate calyx. They are arranged in-groups of 20 to 30 that are whorled in opposite pairs in a terminal spike that appears above the foliage from summer to autumn.
Inflorescence Spike
Colour Red
Size 20 - 25 mm ( 0.8 - 1.0 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Nut (dim. nutlet) Additional Information
Colour Brown
This perennial produces viable seed via a nutlet that develops inside the calyx. The small seeds are viable but the plant is commonly reproduced vegetatively. The seed has are not encouraged are normally removed during cultivation.
Edible No
Bird Attractive Yes
Size 0 - 0 mm ( 0.0 - 0.0 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained, sandy-light clay loam, fertile, moist tending acidic, pH 6.0-7.0
Container Pots, tubs, planter boxes
Climate Warm to sub-tropical
Aspect Full sun to part shade, frost tender, drought and heat tolerant
Pest & Diseases Aphids, budworm, thrips, catepillars, slugs, snails, black rot, capsid bug
Fertiliser Added rotted compost, liquid fertilizer at fortnightly intervals and keep moist
Pruning Tip pruned during growing period, remove spent flowers, cut back after first year
Cultural Uses Propagation
Scarlet Sage is grown for its flowers and is commonly cultivated as an annual. It is planted in small or cottage gardens along borders or mass planted in bedding displays for large gardens. It is also used in tropical settings.
Sow fresh seeds during early spring in flats and prick out when large enough to handle. Plant out after the frost period has ended and space large types 350 mm (14 in) apart and dwarf types 200 mm (7 3/4 in) apart.
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