Salvia elegans 'Tangerine'
Common name(s): tangerine sage
Description: perennial; a selection with darker red flowers, and shrubbier, lower growth than the common form of S. elegans (pineapple sage). Aromatic leaves release a powerful fruity aroma when bruised and make for a pleasant addition to fruit salads and iced teas. Scarlet red flower spikes in late summer attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Height: to 18 in. Spread: to 3 ft.
Position: full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil
Uses: culinary, ornamental, to attract pollinators
Winter Hardiness: to 10 F and below
Care: prune to 6 inches above the ground in spring (after all danger of last frost) to rejuvenate foliage. Adding a 1-2 inch layer of gravel around the base increases survivability and prevents crown rot. Cutting back spent blooms in summer will encourage more blooming but is not necessary. No fertilizer.