I have been growing this annual salvia since 2000, and it has re seeded reliably ever since. Although the data base entry states that it may not come true from re seeding, I have find it to be exactly the same as the original plant I planted in 2000. I have given away hundreds of seedlings, making this a top pass along plant. It takes heat and humidity with ease, and once established is fairly drought resistant. As long as it is kept dead headed, it will bloom until a hard frost takes it down in the late fall or winter. This is a very valuable plant for anyone wanting to attract butterflies or bees to their garden.

Reply to this comment

This is my Mom's favorite, as well as mine. She always wants a container of 'Lady in Red' for Mother's Day from me every year. She and I love it, and the many hummingbirds that visit it love it too!

It self sows, has many blooming flowers, is a beautiful color of red, and is easy to maintain.

I plant many pots of it into containers, and the ones in the ground self sow from the previous year and I'll get more plants! Sometimes, it self sows from one container into another container and the next year, I'll get a new free plant!

Reply to this comment

I originally purchased this plant 20 years ago, and it willingly re-seeds itself every year. I have seen comments that it does not grow true from seed, but I can compare pictures I took then (with a throw away camera) to pictures I took recently with my I Pad and I can't see any difference. I have given away literally hundreds of seedlings; it is (to me) the ultimate pass along plant. Where I live the ruby-throated hummingbirds go nuts over it; they seem to prefer it over many other plants. It is a very tough plant, and drought resistant when established.

Reply to this comment

I have grown this plant for several years. It is an annual here in zone 5 but self sows reliably .Hummingbirds favor this plant ,and the red color is a very vibrant addition to the garden.
Seeds are small and a bit hard to collect (found deep into the tube structure of the flower) but are winter sown successfully.

Reply to this comment

This lovely red salvia is very attractive to hummingbirds. Not hardy in my zone over the winter so I have to buy new plants if I want them each spring.

Rita on the north shore of Nassau County on Long Island, New York in zone 6/7.

2 replies