223 · Salvia Tall Red Hill

About this plant

Tall 20-to-24-inch spikes of neon orange-red that genuinely glow in low sun — Baker Creek likens the effect to flames in the border. It is the standout hummingbird plant of this sale, and bees and butterflies work it just as hard. This is Salvia splendens: bushy, showy and thirsty, not the drought-tough native scarlet sage. Note: Frost tender — hold pots until late February. Will NOT be in bloom at the sale. Needs regular water and afternoon summer shade. This is Salvia splendens, NOT the drought-tolerant native Salvia coccinea.

Planting it at home

When to plant out

Wait until after our last frost (about mid-February) and warm soil — usually March. Until then keep the pot in a sunny, sheltered spot and bring it in on cold nights.

Where

Morning sun, afternoon shade; back of a border, hummingbird garden, large containers. Keep on irrigation.

Spacing

12 in — for this cultivar specifically; Baker Creek gives 12 in for its sibling Amore series

Size

20–24 in tall on sturdy, robust stems (Baker Creek). Described as robust; staking not normally needed, though a windy site may warrant it.

Care

Sun

Full sun in winter and spring; afternoon shade in summer

Water

Regular, consistent water. Not drought tolerant.

Feed

A light flower fertilizer every 3–4 weeks while blooming (general guide).

Pick / harvest

no published cutting stage; general salvia practice is to cut at about half the spike open

Deadhead

Cut off spent flowers to keep new blooms coming.

Good to know

Caution

Edibility unsure. Do not eat.

Grown from

Seed — sown by FHCG volunteers

Uses

Hummingbird and pollinator gardens, back-of-border bedding, large pots

Life cycle

Tender perennial grown as an annual — S. splendens is hardy to zones 10a–11b only (NC State Ext), so a frost-tender annual in 9b

Heirloom or hybrid

Heirloom — saved seeds grow true

Pollinators

Strong draw. Baker Creek calls these 'wildlife super magnets' feeding bees, butterflies and hummingbirds; NC State confirms hummingbirds and butterflies for the species. The tall orange-red spikes are the best hummingbird plant in this catalog.

Days to bloom

no days-to-bloom published for FL698. Sibling variety Amore Purple is 70 days.

Heat (our summer)

Moderate. Handles heat with water and afternoon shade; not a reflected-heat or xeriscape plant.

Cold

No — frost tender, zones 10–11. Protect from Fountain Hills frost.

Color

Neon orange-red, dense spikes that shimmer in sun (Baker Creek FL698)

Edible

Unsure. Ornamental, not a culinary sage. Do not eat.