"Salvia pentstemonoides (Big red sage) is a herbaceous perennial that is rare in nature and native to only a few locations in Texas, including the Edwards Plateau. The plant remains endangered due to destruction of habitat and browsing by deer. A severe drought in the 1950s may have contributed to its decline.

Salvia pentstemonoides typically grows in limestone rock along seeps or creeks, reaching up to 5 feet tall with square stems, often with long basal leaves in addition to opposite cauline leaves. The leaves are mistletoe-green colored, lancelike in shape, growing in a basal rosette. Numerous flowering stalks grow from the rosette, with inflorescences that are 8-12 inches long, having whorls of loosely packed flowers. The 1 inch flowers are beetroot-purple colored, with a .5 inch calyx that is the color of red wine. The leaves give off a lemon-lime scent when brushed or rubbed, and are edible, like many red-flowered salvias.

In cultivation, Salvia pentstemonoides likes fast-draining soil with limestone or ground oystershells added. It prefers morning sun with high shade, but grows well in full sun in areas of high humidity. Deep weekly watering is also preferred. The plant is hardy to about 20 °F and easily propagated by seed; propagation through cuttings is possible and clumps can be divided provided it's done with care. It is very attractive to hummingbirds."

Taken from wikipedia's page at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S...

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Bought it from High Country Gardens a years ago. Stated it was hardy in zone 6 and it is for me. Love this plant! Beautiful flowers! Beautiful color! Wouldn't be without it! Gorgeous every year when it's in bloom!

The large blooms are stunning! Every year when they bloom I can't help but to go and stare at the beauty of the flowers!

A winner of a Salvia!

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