Forest Fire Texas Sage Hummingbird Salvia is a vibrant cultivar of Salvia coccinea that brings non-stop blooms to warm-climate gardens from summer straight through fall. Growing 18-24 inches tall with a compact, bushy form, this half-hardy perennial thrives in full sun across zones 9-11 and reaches flowering size in just 70-84 days from seed. Hummingbirds can't resist its scarlet blooms, while gardeners love its drought tolerance once established and its natural resistance to deer pressure. The name Forest Fire captures its intense, fiery character perfectly.
8
Full Sun
Moderate
9-11
24in H x 18in W
—
High
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This salvia flowers prolifically across six consecutive months, from June through November in warm climates, delivering constant pollinator activity without the fussiness of many tender annuals. Its compact 18-24 inch height and moderate water needs make it equally at home in containers, borders, or water-wise gardens. Once established, it handles drought beautifully, yet it also responds to consistent moisture with even more abundant blooms, giving you flexibility in how you water.
This is purely an ornamental flower grown for its visual impact and its ability to attract hummingbirds and other pollinators into the garden. The dramatic red-scarlet blooms make it a striking choice for adding summer-to-fall color in borders, containers, and pollinator gardens.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost in sterile seed-starting mix. Sprinkle seeds on the surface, press lightly to firm them in place, and cover with a thin layer of vermiculite to hold moisture. Water from the bottom by placing the container in a tray of water so moisture is absorbed without wetting foliage. Keep the soil at 65-75°F and expect germination in 7-21 days. Seeds require light to germinate, so do not cover them heavily.
Harden off seedlings gradually by exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before transplanting. Move them outdoors after your last spring frost date when nighttime temperatures are consistently above freezing. Space transplants 8 inches apart in full sun with well-draining soil amended with 1 inch of compost.
Direct sow about 2 weeks after your last spring frost date when soil has warmed. Sprinkle seeds on the soil surface, press lightly to firm them in, and keep the soil consistently moist until germination occurs in 7-21 days.
Pinch back young plants to encourage branching and denser growth, resulting in more blooms and a fuller, bushier appearance. No heavy pruning is needed; light deadheading of spent flowers will extend the bloom season through fall.
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