How and where to plant red sage?

Red sage, also known as scarlet sage, glowing sage or blazing sage, is one of the species most found in flower beds. Portrait of this plant with abundant flowering, that you are explained where and how to plant well.

Red sage, perennial or annual?

Imported from Brazil where red sage is part of the perennial family and is grown in France as an annual plant,i.e. whose life cycle lasts only one year and which survives in winter only in the form of seed.

Since it usually develops in tropical areas, it generally fears frost as early as 0oC... This explains why its roots, stems and foliage disappear.

Salvia splendens: a species, different qualifiers

The Latin name Salvia splendens, the red sage (which is part of the lamiaceae family) has the distinction of meeting multiple appellations. It's called:

• red sage;
• sage blaze;
• glowing sage;
• scarlet sage;
• or splendid sage.

What do these adjectives have in common? Bring back to the bright color of flowers,which make it one of the species preferred by the landscapers who make up the massifs, but also individuals who wish to bring touches of color in their garden or on their balcony.

What does red sage look like?

If it is also appreciated by horticulturists, it is for its beautiful red or even purple color,but also for the abundance of its small flowers.

Tubular in shape,the latter form rather tight floral ears,which culminate above rowing stems - in other words, branching - lined with dark green oval leaves, notched and pointed-toe.

While the scarlet colour is the most common, there are also white-flowered varieties, salmon pink or purple,which also give superb results on flower beds or borders during flowering periods.

Focus on the flowering of red sage

The red sage blooms in late spring,from May, allowing to admire its pretty flowers until the edges of autumn (we start to rip the plants in November).

A long flowering period, which allows fans to make the most of it!

Calendar: when to sow and plant red sage?

To grow the red sage, we start by sowing in terrine in March,in a sheltered space and heated to at least 20oC.

If professional gardeners, who call this process "hot," do their seeding in a greenhouse, a sunny, heated room in the house is enough, provided it has a window.

Once the plants start to giveleaves, they are transplanted into buckets that are kept in a sheltered area, in a slightly less heated area. A garage, for example, is enough when outside temperatures are not yet conducive to grounding. Before the latter, nothing prevents them from acclimatizing by placing them outside for a fortnight ... But be careful, not too early in May or you may expose yourself to the last late frosts!

It is therefore only at the end of spring that we put in the ground, spacing the plants at least 30 cm to give them the chance to flourish. To do well, a mulch can be installed around the feet to protect the soil from drought and to limit the spread of weeds.

Note: the mulch will prevent the water from evaporating and keep the soil cool.

Red sage: where to plant it?

Red sage, either in a mass or in a planter, requires a relatively large sun to grow.

It is therefore necessary to think about planting it in a place where it will receive enough light,and in a soil rather light and airy, if possible rich in humus. If the latter is not enough, do not hesitate to add horticultural soil to enrich it.

When planting is the case, the flowers that have already bloomedcan also be removed, so that the plant can leave more easily.

Maintain red sage, instructions!

The advantage of red sage is that its cultivation is accessible to beginners since it does not require much maintenance.

To ensure the plant's abundant flowering, simply remove the wilted flowers as often as possible, andwater in the summer.

Red sage can be the target of slugs, snails and ladybugs. To prevent these small critters from attacking it, coffee grounds are poured around the plants, and/or garlic cloves are spread nearby, which helps to repel them.

Where to buy red sage seeds?

On multitanks, you will find many seed references to enrich your massifs,including red sage seeds blaze VILMORIN... It's up to you!