Floridata: Salvia splendens

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#533 Salvia splendens
Common Names: scarlet sage
Family: Lamiaceae/Labiatae (mint Family)

Get link to this Profile or click for data record #533

The 'Sparkler Series' of Salvia splendens features flowers in vivid shades of red, white, purple and salmon.

Description
"Annual" salvia is a tender tropical perennial that is typcally grown as a warm weather annual bedding plant. It has long been a garden standard, reliably blooming over an extended period. Ever more varieties are being developed, giving a wide range of colors, including white, salmon and purple, as well as the traditional bright red, and heights from about 8 in (20 cm) to nearly 3 ft (0.9 m). Leaves are bright to dark green, elliptical and toothed. Flowers grow on spikes and are two-lipped, with a flat lower lip and helmet-shaped upper lip.

Location
Salvia splendens is native to Brazil. It is now widely cultivated as a summer or warm-weather annual.

This huge mass planting of 'Sparkler Series' paints a carpet of color that will endure summertime heat and humidity (even in Orlando, Florida as seen here!)

Culture
Plant in average or enriched soil and fertilize as needed. Over a long season, flowers will drop, leaving a ragged spike. When this happens, cut the plant back. New growth emerges refreshed. Snails and slugs find salvia to be a delicious treat, especially in moist conditions and when the plants are mulched.
Light: In cooler climates, plant in full sun. In areas with very hot summers, partial shade, especially in the afternoon, reduces stress.
Moisture: Average to slightly dry, well drained soil. Larger varieties with deeper roots need less water than dwarf varieties.
Hardiness: Summer annual. Might survive light freezes.
Propagation: Seed. May be planted directly into finely textured, warm soil, or started in seed trays for setting out after danger of frost.

Scarlet sage is able to withstand urban conditions and still look attractive.

Usage
Annual salvia is a good vertical accent in a container. A medium to tall variety can be surrounded by other annuals. Envision a burgundy salvia surrounded by blue and lavender shades of impatiens (Impatiens wallerana), with a little white alyssum (Lobularia maritima) or nierembergia (Nierembergia spp.). Or for hot color, a bright red with marigolds (Tagetes spp.)! In a bed, salvias are great massed. Because of the uniformity of bedding plant varieties, they can also be used very successfully in a border.

Features
Salvias are prolific and durable bloomers. They are not bothered by pests. Unfortunately, the selected varieties of this species are not as attractive to hummingbirds or butterflies as are most Salvia species, such as wild scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea) for example.

hc 01/28/99, updated: js 07/02/99, sc 11/27/99, 12/6/99, 05/20/03, 9/11/03

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