Overview

Introduce a burst of fiery color to your landscape with the stunning Salvia greggii Furman’s Red. This exceptional variety of autumn sage is celebrated for its intense, true red flowers that bloom profusely from spring through fall, creating a spectacular display. As a robust and resilient perennial garden plant, it’s an ideal choice for gardeners seeking both beauty and low maintenance. Originating from the American Southwest and Mexico, Salvia greggii, commonly known as Autumn Sage or Cherry Sage, is a favorite among pollinators, drawing hummingbirds and butterflies to its nectar-rich blossoms. This particular cultivar, ‘Furman’s Red’, is prized for its consistent, vivid coloration and compact growth habit, making it versatile for various garden applications, from borders to containers. This live plant arrives ready to thrive, bringing immediate impact to your outdoor space.

The Salvia greggii Furman’s Red is a semi-woody perennial that offers long-lasting visual interest. Its aromatic foliage adds another layer of sensory appeal, releasing a pleasant, herby scent when brushed. Whether you’re designing a vibrant cottage garden, a xeriscape, or simply wish to enhance your patio with a splash of color, this beautiful sage is an excellent choice. Its ability to withstand challenging conditions while producing an abundance of flowers makes it a gardener’s delight. Expect a healthy, well-established plant, ready to transition seamlessly into your garden and begin its impressive bloom cycle.

Key Benefits

The Salvia greggii Furman’s Red offers numerous advantages for any garden, combining aesthetic appeal with practical benefits. Its distinctive features make it a standout choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.

• Vibrant, Long-Lasting Blooms: Enjoy a prolonged season of rich, true red flowers from spring until the first hard frost. This extended bloom period ensures continuous color and interest in your garden, making it a focal point throughout much of the year. The vivid hues of this red flowering salvia truly pop against green foliage.
• Attracts Pollinators: The tubular flowers are a magnet for hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies, turning your garden into a lively hub of activity. This makes it an excellent addition for supporting local ecosystems and encouraging biodiversity.
• Drought-Tolerant & Low Maintenance: Once established, this drought tolerant sage requires minimal watering, making it perfect for water-wise gardening and busy individuals. It thrives in hot, dry conditions and generally requires little fuss to maintain its vigor and bloom.
• Deer Resistant: Its aromatic foliage tends to deter deer, offering a natural defense against common garden pests without the need for chemical deterrents. This is a significant advantage for gardens in areas prone to deer browsing.
• Versatile Landscaping Plant: Ideal for borders, rock gardens, mass plantings, or container gardening. Its compact size and upright habit allow it to fit into various garden designs, providing flexibility for your landscaping vision.
• Aromatic Foliage: The small, oval leaves emit a pleasant, slightly spicy fragrance when touched, adding an additional sensory dimension to your garden experience. This subtle aroma enhances the overall appeal of this perennial garden plant.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Salvia greggii Furman’s Red is relatively straightforward, making it a great choice for gardeners of all skill levels. To ensure vigorous growth and abundant blooms, proper siting and routine care are essential. This hardy plant thrives in conditions that mimic its native arid habitats. For optimal performance, plant your red flowering salvia in a location that receives full sun, meaning at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day. Good air circulation is also beneficial to prevent fungal issues. While tolerant of various soil types, well-draining soil is crucial; avoid heavy, waterlogged conditions that can lead to root rot. Amend clay soils with organic matter and sand to improve drainage.

Watering should be consistent during the plant’s establishment phase, typically the first growing season. Once established, Salvia greggii Furman’s Red is remarkably drought-tolerant and will only need occasional deep watering during prolonged dry spells. Overwatering is a common mistake and should be avoided. Fertilization is generally not necessary, especially in rich garden soils. If your soil is particularly poor, a light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring can be beneficial. Pruning is key to maintaining a tidy shape and encouraging continuous blooming. Light shearing after each flush of flowers will promote new growth and more blossoms. A more significant cutback in late winter or early spring, removing up to one-third of the plant, will rejuvenate it for the upcoming growing season. This helps maintain the compact form and encourages a prolific display from your autumn sage care routine.

In terms of temperature, Salvia greggii Furman’s Red is generally hardy in USDA Zones 7-10. In colder regions (Zone 6 and below), it can be grown as an annual or protected during winter with a thick layer of mulch. Pests and diseases are rarely an issue for this resilient plant. Watch for common garden pests like aphids or spider mites, though they seldom cause significant damage. Ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overwatering will help prevent most fungal problems. Following these simple care guidelines will ensure your Salvia greggii Furman’s Red remains a healthy, vibrant, and rewarding addition to your garden for many years.

Size & Details

This offering is for one Salvia greggii Furman’s Red live plant, carefully cultivated and ready for planting. The plant is approximately 1 foot tall upon arrival, measured from the soil line to the top of the foliage, and is shipped in a 1-gallon nursery pot. This size provides a robust root system, ensuring a strong start in your garden. The mature size of the ‘Furman’s Red’ cultivar typically reaches 2-3 feet in height and spread, forming a bushy, upright mound. Its growth rate is moderate, establishing quickly in favorable conditions.

The plant will arrive with established foliage and may already have buds or blooms, depending on the season, offering immediate beauty. With proper care, you can expect this perennial garden plant to begin flowering profusely from spring through fall, showcasing its brilliant red blossoms. It’s a long-lived perennial that will continue to enhance your garden for many seasons. Ensure you have adequate space for its mature dimensions when choosing a planting location.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this Salvia greggii ‘Furman’s Red’ plant get? A: This Salvia greggii Furman’s Red typically grows to a mature size of 2-3 feet tall and equally wide. It forms a dense, bushy mound, providing a significant presence in the garden.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: The live plant is shipped in a 1-gallon nursery pot, providing a well-established root system for successful transplanting into your garden or a larger container.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Salvia greggii Furman’s Red is primarily an outdoor plant, thriving in full sun and well-draining soil. While it can be overwintered indoors in colder climates, it performs best in an outdoor garden setting.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: For optimal growth and prolific blooming, this red flowering salvia requires full sun exposure, meaning at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, Salvia greggii Furman’s Red is considered a low-maintenance plant. Once established, it is highly drought-tolerant and generally pest and disease resistant, making autumn sage care quite simple.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your plant will arrive as a healthy, live specimen, approximately 1 foot tall, in its 1-gallon nursery pot. It will be carefully packaged to ensure it reaches you in excellent condition, ready for planting.
• Q: When is the best time to plant Salvia greggii ‘Furman’s Red’? A: The best time to plant is in spring or early fall, allowing the plant to establish its root system before extreme heat or cold. This helps ensure your drought tolerant sage gets a strong start.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: Salvia greggii Furman’s Red is hardy in USDA Zones 7-10. In Zone 6 and colder, it may require winter protection (mulching) or can be treated as an annual.
• Q: Is this perennial garden plant pet-safe? A: While generally considered non-toxic, it’s always best to prevent pets from ingesting large quantities of any plant material. Consult a veterinarian for specific concerns about your pets.
• Q: How often should I water this drought tolerant sage? A: After establishment, water sparingly. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. During periods of extreme heat or drought, occasional deep watering may be beneficial for your drought tolerant sage.