Salvia coccinea - seeds

Salvia coccinea, also known as Texas sage or scarlet sage, is a tender and short-lived perennial plant, often grown as an annual. Its brilliant flowers appear from June to October, clustered on long upright spikes above fuzzy and aromatic leaves. It is a nectar-rich flowering plant, attracting many pollinators. A stunning sage for perennial or annual flowerbeds and flowering containers. It thrives in light, well-drained soil, even sandy soil, and full sun.

Salvia coccinea is probably native to Mexico and has naturalised in the southeastern United States and various states in South America. This species, belonging to the Lamiaceae family, is naturally polymorphic and has given rise to numerous horticultural selections. It is a short-lived herbaceous perennial plant, upright, bushy, somewhat loose, reaching a height of 60-70 cm and a width of 30-40 cm. Its entire foliage is fragrant. Flowering occurs from June to October. The tubular, two-lipped flowers are arranged in loose whorls along a vertical stem emerging from the foliage. The corolla is a bright and vivid, scarlet red, shining under the summer sun. The flowers are followed by tiny brown seeds, hidden within the calyxes. The opposite leaves (leaves arranged in pairs that cross each other at right angles) are staggered along the stem and emerge in pairs. They are hairy, heart-shaped or triangular, with toothed margins.

Salvia coccinea is a colourful sage, with a light and refined appearance. It is the queen of sunny and somewhat dry locations, just like its cousins Salvia officinalis or shrub sages, with which it can create very natural flowerbeds. It can be sown with love-in-a-mist, blue perennial flax, 'Silver Dust' cineraria, cornflowers, or snapdragons to quickly create colourful displays.