Salvia coccinea
scarlet sage
S. coccinea is a tender annual to 75cm tall, with oval or heart-shaped leaves and whorls of bright scarlet flowers forming a spike to 30cm long, from summer to autumn
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Red | Green | ||
Autumn | Red | Green | ||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Salvia can be annuals, biennials, herbaceous or evergreen perennials, or shrubs. They have paired, simple or pinnately lobed, often aromatic leaves and 2-lipped flowers in whorls, forming simple or branched spikes or racemes
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, light, well-drained, slightly acid, sandy soil in full sun or partial shade
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown at 15-18°C in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Cut back after flowering
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.