How to Care for Red Salvia

Red salvia is also called scarlet sage, Salvia splendens or Salvia coccinea. It is one of the hundreds of species of plants in the Salvia genus and is sensitive to frost and cold temperatures, but does well during hot, dry times of year. It performs well and looks stunning when you plant it in border gardens and in hanging baskets and other types of containers. Growing as tall as 15 inches at its peak in the summer, red salvia's striking flowers rise in whorls above its foliage.

Compost
Shovel
Fertilizer
Insecticidal soap

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase bedding plants of red salvia because seeds can take several months to mature to the point where you can transplant them to the garden.
- 2
  Improve garden soil in a sunny location with one part of organic compost to every four parts of soil. Dig compost into the soil to a depth of at least 8 inches and mix it well.
- 3
  Plant young red salvia plants after your final spring frost passes. Dig planting holes in your improved soil that are large enough for the entire root system of each plant, and leave 6 to 8 inches between planting holes.
- 4
  Fertilize your red salvia with a balanced plant food one month after planting and again once each month during their summer growing season.
- 5
  Control aphids, should they appear, by spraying your red salvia plant with insecticidal soap. Repeat your application every other day until all signs of this insect disappear.
- 6
  Pinch off spent flower spikes to encourage more blooming. In fall, prune plants almost to the soil level and cover the area with a 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch, such as organic compost.

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