'Van Houttei' is itself a cultivar of Salvia splendens even though it looks quite different than the stubby cultivars. It may be closer to the native Brazilian species. Neither ITIS nor The Plant List even have it as a synonym.

In 9B, during a ghastly freeze (for us) in 2011, "Dancing Flame' killed to the ground, but remained root hardy. It wasn't as fast to return as other tropical type plants. Then last summer it suffered through the worst drought recorded in my area. However, with this last very mild winter and adequate rain, it's already 4' x 4'. Last year I gave one away that had outgrown it's space - 5'H x 6+'W.

Hishtil, the Israeli grower who developed the plant, suggests that it would be hardy in US Zones 8-10. However, if it killed to the ground with 4 nights between 25-27 degrees (day temps in 40s-50s), I question whether it's going to be even root hardy in Zone 8. Even in 9B I took cuttings last fall just in case. BTW, cuttings root very easily.

Also reckon that in the warmest, most humid climates, it may get up to about 6'. Concur about sun and drainage requirements - a.m. or filtered in the hottest climate and decent drainage, but it's definitely not drought tolerant. It wants that typical "moist, but well drained."

Monica

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I've planted Salvia 'Dancing Flames' (in a container) before, but this year it looked even better!

I always had it planted with other plants and this year was no exception. I had planted two different Pentas and Salvia 'Black and Blue'. As I look at one of the photos I had posted, I remember now that I had added compost in addition to the potting soil. That might be the key for it looking better this year. Of course, I had fertilized it and kept up on the watering.

Next year I decided to plant it in container by itself, since it looks so great. It will grow and bloom better without other plants competing with it.

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There is some dispute about the hardiness of 'Dancing Flames', (Most people say hardy to zone 8), as well as the taxonomy (some say Salvia van houttei, some say Salvia splendens). It does best in morning sun and afternoon shade. As with all salvias, make sure it has good drainage.

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