Salvia splendens Estella Coral seeds - Annual sage

Salvia splendens 'Estella Coral' is an exotic sage cultivated as an annual in our latitudes, also known as Scarlet Sage or Splendid Sage. This variety belongs to the Estella range which comprises cultivars larger than the species, forming well-branched plants with early flowering. The handsome, fairly dark green foliage serves to highlight the unusual coral pink flowers, which bloom from late spring to early autumn. Suitable for the second layer of your borders, behind edging plants, this beautiful floriferous sage can also be grown in pots or decorative containers to enhance a terrace or balcony. Thriving in full sun, it appreciates moist soil.

Sages belong to the Lamiaceae family, comprising over two hundred genera, including many aromatic plants (Basil, Oregano, Mint...) and similarly numerous ornamental plants that adorn our gardens, perennials such as Self-heal, Catmint or shrubs, like the underappreciated Glorybower or Chaste Tree with its architectural foliage that releases a peppery scent when crushed. There are over 900 species of Sages, annuals, perennials or shrubs, distributed from tropical regions to temperate zones of the New and Old Worlds. Salvia splendens, also known by the synonym Fenixanthes splendens, is a herbaceous perennial that grows naturally in Brazil, around Rio de Janeiro. Developing at altitudes between 500 and 1000 m, it forms clumps reaching 90 cm in height, and commonly flowers from March to October.
A favourite genus among collectors due to the multitude of available species, Sage also inspires breeders, particularly the species S. splendens, from which the Estella series originates. The breeders' goal was to produce floriferous, very well branched plants with early flowering. Mission accomplished with 'Estella Coral' which won the gold medal in the prestigious 2026 Floraselect horticultural competition in the Netherlands, thus rewarding its many merits. Sown early in the season under heated cover, the seeds produce branched young plants that begin to flower as early as May. The ovate leaves with pointed tips have a handsome, fairly dark green colour and form dense vegetation, above which the flower spikes rise up to 60 cm in height. These are arranged in tiers, a good dozen in total per spike, grouped in 3 or 4, thus creating a very ornamental coloured mass. The flowers have two lips (Lamiaceae were formerly called Labiatae for this reason...) and each measure 1.5 to 2 cm long. Besides their large number, their colour is also particularly attractive, a rich, beautiful and very original coral pink. The inflorescences renew themselves until September, and even more so if care is taken to remove spent spikes, and to provide regular potassium feed which will support the flowering.

Plant the Annual Sage 'Estella Coral' in a border alongside other annuals or flowering perennials to create an attractive summer scene. Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam' with its pale yellow daisy-like flowers will accompany your Sage's flowering throughout the fine season. Daylilies with star-shaped flowers that come in a wide range of colours will also be good companions, while in the background, a Cotinus coggygrya 'Golden Lady' will create a feature with its round leaves that vary from yellow-orange to chartreuse green depending on the season. You can also to grow 'Estella Coral' in a large container, taking care to water it regularly during the summer.