Growing scarlet sage seeds will create charming red blossoms to your landscape. The gorgeous flowers attract birds to feed on nectar. They also draw other beneficial insects such as bumblebees and honeybees. Thus, these varieties are great choices for butterfly gardens.
Scarlet sage flower belongs to genus Salvia that can grow easily in gardens, walkways, raised beds, and borders. At the end of the season, this wildflower can seed by itself. However, you can store the fresh harvest for the next planting.
Grab the following facts about a wide range of varieties, how to propagate Salvia flowers and the plant care of this perennial. Therefore, you can choose some types of red blooms to populate your beautiful garden.
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Famous Facts About Scarlet Sage Seeds
Scarlet sage or Salvia coccinea is a perennial herb that grows as an annual plant in cold winter areas. The word “Salvia” is from the Latin name of salvere that means to heal. It is because this wildflower has medicinal uses. Then, the meaning of coccinea refers to the bright red color.
These scarlet sage seeds grow in average well-drained soil and require full sun exposure. However, Salvia flowers can resist some shade. They are blooming continuously during the warm weather. If there is no watering at all, the plant will not produce the blossoms.
Furthermore, its loose whorls produce flowers with inflorescences that stand erect up to 25 centimeters tall. The flashy blossoms of scarlet sage seeds come with upright vase-shaped growth habit can reach up to 91 centimeters tall and 61 centimeters wide.
The great cut blossoms are arranged on numerous branched stems to give an airy look. Each tubular flower consists of corolla and calyx. The colorful tubes are swelling from this green outer whorl.
The dramatic blossoms produce a lot of nectar. Inside the calyces, there are tiny brown scarlet sage seeds that attract some birds such as goldfinches.
The small seeds hang around the dried calyx until they are shaken loose. The seed-eating birds also pick them as food.
On the other hand, the leaves that have a triangular shape are green and hairy. They also feature scalloped edges with long slender stems that support the blade. The leaf arrangement can be either compound or simple.
The heart-shaped leaves bring a smell that is avoided by mammalian pests. Therefore, the red salvia becomes rabbit-proof and deer-resistant.
The Varieties of Scarlet Sage Seeds
The varieties have various colors and sizes, although Salvia typically has a bright red hue. They come in purple, burgundy, pink, orange, white, salmon, and bi-colors.
Lady in Red Sage
Lady in red is the best scarlet-flowering tropical plant that is known as Texas sage. It obtains an award due to its attractive appearance and natural dwell.
This perennial is perfect for either bedding or pots. Use the size of 35×35 centimeters for the flower beds, while the ideal bigness for potplants is 15 centimeters. Lady in red serves longer lasting bright hues to any garden.
Cherry Blossom Salvia
Cherry blossom of scarlet sage seeds also refers to the coral nymph. The green foliage color has a fuzzy texture and deer tolerant. This long bloomer has white and reddish-pink flowers. The best blossom seasons are spring, fall, and summer in full sunlight exposure.
This tropical perennial matures at 60 centimeters tall. The best plant spacing is about 24 inches. Moreover, the growing method of coral nymph includes softwood cuttings, dividing rootballs, direct indoor, and outdoor seedlings.
Summer Jewel Pink and Red
Summer jewel red is a fast-to-grow cultivar that is more compact than other varieties of scarlet sage seeds. It takes only nine weeks from sowing to flowering. This dwarf Salvia has a rich-red hue and fits to grow in landscape planting.
On the other hand, another type of summer jewels has a soft powder pink color. This half-inch flower will create a fabulous full blooming by multiple growing. It thrives well in both pots and annual beds.
The blush-pink continuously blooms in the late spring season. The flowers feature slender yet sturdy stems on the fuzzy green tree. Summer jewel pink is a native shrub that can resist humidity, heat, and drought.
Salvia Greggii Alba
Alba is a white variety of scarlet sage seeds. This dwarf subshrub has thin rows that contrast to Salvia cultivar. It is also known as Snow Nymph.
Snow nymph features long stalks with pure white flowers. It also has bright green leaves. Importantly, this cultivar has good resistance to drought and heat.
Ablazin
Ablazin is one of the scarlet sage seeds that features large spikes with purple flowers and dark burgundy calyces. Its dense appearance and beautiful edging make it perfect for planting in pots.
This cultivar has masses of elongated inflorescence, so it is effectively growing in groups. In maturity, Ablazin reaches 96 centimeters tall and 46 centimeters wide.
Due to its upright growth habit, this variety can be a thriller combination. Grow the flowers in the center of the pot and pair with some small companion plants around them.
Salvia Bonfire
Bonfire features lush green foliage with tube-shaped red flowers. They also have attractive fragrant.
This variety is tall that makes a stunning cut-flower arrangement. Its constant scarlet hue offers an impressive look while growing in beds.
Furthermore, the scarlet sage seeds with vivid red flowers provide a bushy and dense form. They are great for edgings, mass plantings, containers, and other general garden uses.
Also, bonfire foliage has no negative characteristics and low maintenance.
Salvia Carabiniere
Carabiniere is one of the scarlet sage varieties that has bright red flowers. This stocky cultivar is late-blooming foliage.
It grows about 20 to 30 centimeters tall in maturity. Similar to other cultivars, this plant is attractive to butterflies, birds, and bees.
Salsa Scarlet Bicolor
Salsa scarlet has short and sturdy blossom spikes that give multiple turns quickly every season. The flowers come in red and white colors with smooth green leaves.
Due to full sun exposure, the salsa leaves can be small and pale. Therefore, to achieve a perfect appearance, this cultivar should be in partial shade.
This variety is perfect for planting in small containers. It offers an excellent look in full sun or partial shade areas. The height of salsa scarlet sage is 30 to 45 centimeters. Give space about 9 inches for a vigorous planting.
Propagation of Scarlet Sage Seeds
Salvia flowers are propagated by seeds. Before start planting, prepare the nursery pots that contain well-drained rocky or sandy loam. Also, enrich the soil with compost. Then, press the seedlings into the containers.
Start growing scarlet sage seeds indoors for 6 to 8 weeks to produce blossoms earlier. After that, you can place the plants either in a partially shaded or full sun location. The red Salvia will produce many outputs of flowers if it gets full sunlight exposure.
Next is transplanting the seedlings to the garden. Give space about 20 to 31 centimeters for each plant. It is to ensure that the flower can grow vigorously.
However, sowing the seeds can be directly outdoors in the early spring season. Firstly, clean the area from any other plants that are not valued. Then, scatter the seedlings to the ground. To get proper germination, the plants need direct sun exposure.
Scarlet sage seeds germinate for 7 to 21 days if they meet the optimal conditions. The best temperature is 24 degrees Celcius for successful germination. An area with compact soil also needs a light compost to give drainage.
Top Tips for Scarlet Sage Plant Care
Scarlet sage seeds are nearly free from diseases and pests. You need to remove the faded blossoms for plant care. Deadheading aims to promote reblooming and keep a tidy look. Start pruning the elongated inflorescence regularly. Make the pinch far from the stems.
Keep the showy flowers away from snails, slugs, and whiteflies. They can be harmful to the plants. Whiteflies are notorious pests that lay undersides of the leaves. Occasionally, they make an undiscovered journey from garden to greenhouse or other places.
The leaves of scarlet sage are easily exposed to powdery mildew. To solve this problem, the plants require enough air circulation. Also, add space by planting further apart.
To prevent powdery mildew, apply a spray of aerated compost tea every month. If airborne pests attack the leaves, this organic fungicide will strengthen the plants. The leaf spot can also be treated with this method.
Additionally, aphids can damage the scarlet sage. You can remove them with your fingers. However, if there are lots of greenflies, they can be eliminated with a spout of tap water.
If this way fails, foliar sprays will become the last alternative. They provide microbes to defend against any pests and diseases.
Moreover, flowers of scarlet sage seeds in the ground and containers require daily watering if there is no rain during the hottest summer season. They also need balanced fertilizer that mixed with the liquid. Then, apply it to the plants by using a sprayer.
Last but not least, Salvia sage flowers come with many varieties that offer beautiful colors. Welcome the flying beauties by growing scarlet sage seeds in your garden. Enjoy the hummingbirds zinging through the garden with delight!