Salvia fulgens is set to enter December with flower colour worthy of summer. The warm weather of the past weeks has extended the flowering season of this evergreen sub shrub. Although perennial it is best propagated vegetatively annually to ensure a fresh batch of plants that have vigour and as a guarantee of winter survival. Not a plant to survive a prolonged cold dank wet spell through our winter. A native of Mexico with aromatic leaves. The plant develops to 1.6metres in height dividing and growing to form a mass of flowering stems.

The Labiate flowers are of a deep red that reverberates in the border. The recurved lip of the stigma, protruding slightly from the mouth of the petals resembles the tongue of a snake ready to strike. The upper petal is covered in a mass of hairs giving extra presence to the flower. The papery calyx is long lasting on the stem, gradually turning light brown. Leaving evidence as to the succession of flowering.

Salvia fulgens

Salvia fulgens

Salvia fulgens