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of the most commonly grown ornamental salvia species is the
salvia splendens. Cultivated as a bedding plant in many countries,
salvia splendens in native to the Brazilian rain forests. Many
nurseries will carry dwarf varieties in several colors, including
red, purple, orange, yellow and lavender. The wild form of salvia
splendens grows to about sixty inches, or about five feet tall.
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Salvia
splendens have been bred smaller, and eight to twelve inch
variants were developed, which have much more useful applications
in the garden. One type of salvia splendens, ‘St. Johns
Fire,’ will grow to about fourteen inches high. The
‘scarlet piccolo’ is even smaller, and even very
young plants will flower. The species is easy to grow from
either seeds or cuttings, and prefers full sun.
Salvia
splendens, also called scarlet sage, is used primarily to
add a splash of color to the warm season. The various types
of salvia splendens feature spikes of brightly colored blooms
that appear from June through August. The salvia splendens
is an annual in most areas of the United States, but is actually
a very delicate perennial. Salvia splendens are very easy
to grow from containers.
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| The
salvia splendens has best flower production and growth in
full day sun. For maintaining good quality plants, irrigation
is needed. There are more than twenty different cultivars
available varying in flower color and plant size. Slugs will
eat the foliage of the salvia splendens, and aphids are also
an issue in the garden.
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