SCARLET SAGE SEEDS

Salvia coccinea

Native to Texas and Mexico and sometimes listed as ‘Hummingbird Sage'. Bright glowing scarlet red flowers are filled with nectar and attract legions of hummingbirds and butterflies. Easily grown as an annual wherever summers are hot. Like another Texas native, Red Drummondii Phlox, the bright pop of color is magical in both informal flower beds as well as in the vegetable garden. Absolutely ideal for a butterfly garden!

In much of the West and Southeast these seeds can be sown directly into the garden in spring. The seeds germinate readily in warm soil and will grow very quickly once the weather warms. In the Northeast we sow these seeds indoors around 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost. Sow seeds onto moist soil and just cover with fine vermiculite, pressing to keep seed snug, and mist generously with warm water. Cover with plastic to maintain moisture. Kept warm (around 70°F) in bright light seeds germinate within two weeks or so. Thin or prick out seedlings to grow on in individual cells or pots in bright light at warm temperatures. Water only infrequently. Harden off before transplanting into warm sunny soil after all danger of frost has passed.

This species loves heat and will be very slow to grow where nights are cold and daytime temperatures rarely reach 80°F. The plants appreciate good drainage but will not bloom without deep watering once a week or so. Plants top out for us at around 2', but they can grow much taller in the Midwest and Southeast. Blooms all season and is especially striking in late summer and autumn. Suitable for cutting. The seeds are beloved by birds, attracting winged creatures to the garden long after the first fall frost.

Packet contains at least 200 seeds.