Salvia, Scarlet Sage, Salvia splendens

Salvia, Scarlet Sage or Salvia splendens

Salvia is an Annual flower also known as Scarlet Sage. 

Flaming red is the signature color of this striking, fragrant plant. Bears flowers in profusion on tall, erect spikes. Newer hybrids with pink, purple or white flowers add to the appeal of this long-time garden favorite.

Salvia splendens is native to Brazil. It is now widely cultivated as a summer or warm-weather annual. "Annual" salvia is a tender tropical perennial that is typically grown as a warm weather annual bedding plant. It has long been a garden standard, reliably blooming over an extended period. 

More varieties are being developed, giving a wide range of colors, including white, salmon and purple, as well as the traditional bright red, and heights from about 8 in to nearly 3 ft. Leaves are bright to dark green, elliptical and toothed. Flowers grow on spikes and are two-lipped, with a flat lower lip and helmet-shaped upper lip.

Flowers are borne in 2-6-flowered racemes, up to 20 cm. Bracts are ovate, red, enveloping flowers in bud. In bud, the inflorescence looks like overlapping bracts. 

Flower stalks are 4-7 mm, red hairy. Sepal cup is red, bell-shaped, about 1.6 cm in flower, dilated to 2 cm after maturity. Flower tube is scarlet, 4-4.2 cm, velvety, slightly dilated at throat. Upper lip is straight, somewhat concave, oblong, 8-9 × ca. 4 mm; lower lip shorter than upper. 

 

 F is for Flower for ABC Wednesday, Wordless Wednesday, Today's flower, Floral Flower Fotos, Outdoor Wednesday and last but not least Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day for February 2014....

Enjoy the beauty and Happy Gardening to All!!!