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Conservatory GreenhouseShrubs

Salvia fulgens

Mexican scarlet sage

A small, erect, bushy evergreen sub-shrub with light green oval leaves 3-8cm in length, and brilliant scarlet, hairy, tubular flowers 3cm in length, arranged in well-spaced whorls forming racemes to 45cm in length

Other common names

Mexican red sage

Synonyms

Salvia cardinalis

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
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
Plant range: Mexico

How to grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in peat-free compost, in full light with shade from hot sun. During growth, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Keep just moist in winter and maintain low to moderate humidity. Can be grown outdoors in frost-free areas in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist-but-well-drained soil. Protect form cold, drying winds and excessive winter wet

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in spring or root softwood cuttings in spring or early summer. Semi-hardwood cuttings can be taken in late summer or autumn, with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Mediterranean climate plants
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Flower borders and beds
Cut flowers
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 9 in spring; cut back spent flower spikes to prolong flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to sage leafhopper, slugs, snails and rosemary beetle

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots

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