|
Salvia coccinea
|
Texas Sage, Tropical Sage
(including cultivars 'Lady in Red,' 'Coral Nymph,'
etc.) |
|
|
A
fast-growing. long-flowering annual suitable for almost any location. |
|
|
In the Wild: |
In the Garden: |
|
Plant type: |
Annual herb |
Growth habit: |
bushy mound of triangular leaves topped
by erect
flower stalks |
|
Family: |
Mint (Lamiaceae) |
|
Plant size: |
12" - 24" high in bloom |
Seasonality: |
evergreen in frost-free areas |
|
8" - 24" wide |
|
Flower color: |
bright scarlet red (also pink, white, or
bicolored in cultivars) |
Growth rate: |
fast; typically blooms within weeks from seed |
|
Flower size: |
1/3" wide, 3/4" long |
Hardiness: |
killed by hard freezes |
|
Bloom period(s): |
Spring to fall |
Light needs: |
full sun to part shade |
|
Habitat: |
humid to semi-arid woodlands, meadows |
Soil type: |
well drained, with good organic content |
|
Moisture needs: |
moderate - suitable for "oasis zone" in
desert areas |
|
Distribution: |
native to southeastern U.S. (eastern half of TX, LA, MI, AL, GA, FL,
SC) and northeastern Mexico |
Growing tips: |
In warmer areas, sow directly into
suitable site; in cooler areas, start indoors a few weeks before
last frost. Check nurseries for six packs. "Dead-heading" - removing
spent flower stalks - will prolong bloom. |
