Red Sage, Tropical Sage
1 gallon pots, shipped bare root but wrapped carefully.
Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
Plant Specifics
| Form: | Flower | |
| Size: | 2-6 ft tall by .5-2 ft wide | |
| Life Span: | Annual to short-lived perennial | |
| Flower Color: | Red | |
| Fruit Color: | Brown | |
| Phenology: | Can bloom at any time of year. Tends to die back in northern areas. | |
| Noted for: | Showy flowers |
Landscaping
| Recommended Uses: | Wildflower gardens and meadows. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Considerations: | Readily self-seeds and can be fairly aggressive. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Propagation: | Readily self-seeds, seeds can be easily collected by bagging the flowers once they start to wilt. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Light: | Full Sun, Part Shade | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moisture Tolerance: |
always floodedextremely dry
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| (Somewhat moist, no flooding ----- to ----- Very long very dry periods) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salt Water Flooding Tolerance: | Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salt Spray/ Salty Soil Tolerance: | Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray. Exposure to salt spray would be uncommon (major storms). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Soil or other substrate: | Sand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Soil pH: | 5.5 to 7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ecology
| Wildlife: |
Attracts hummingbirds, nut-hatches, and warblers. |
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| Insects: |
Attracts butterflies, bumblebees, and other pollinators. |
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| Native Habitats: | Disturbed sites, calcareous bluffs, shell mounds. |
Distribution and Planting Zones
Natural Range in Florida
+
−
USDA Zones
Suitable to grow in:
10A 10B 11 8A 8B 9A 9B
USDA zones are based on minimum winter temperatures
Comments
| Ethnobotany: | Reports on edibility of this plant are conflicting...and there is potential to confuse this native with other red-flowered Salvia species. People have reported getting a severe stomach ache from consuming a concentrated extract from the flower. Others have suggested that the leaves can be dried and used instead of the imported sages. Both the leaves and flowers have a slightly sour minty taste and have been used in salads or as garnish. Just remember, what you eat is your own responsibility.... | |
| General Comments: | In mild areas, plants sometimes persist through the winter and will bloom again. They need to be cut way back or they will not be attractive. |