Imperial Red

Class

Dicotyledoneae

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Lamiaceae

Order

Lamiales

Genus

Sage

Species

splendens

Description

An ornamental herbaceous plant belonging to the genus Salvia , which includes around 960 species distributed throughout Asia, South America and a large area of Europe. With compact growth and an upright habit, it is ideal for outdoor planters and tubs as well as for landscaping to add an accent of colour and elegance to flowerbeds, even borders and borders, preferably in full sun, where it creates dramatic focal points with its spiky flowers that rise from the foliage from mid-spring to early autumn and are popular with beneficial insects such as butterflies and bees, making it an insect-friendly plant and helping to preserve the biodiversity of the planting site, even when used in urban areas. It is highly hardy and requires relatively little effort for routine maintenance, making it even more popular with gardeners and garden enthusiasts at all levels of experience.

Varietal description

Compact and re-flowering for pack and pot 8 and 10. It was once one of the most widely used flowering annuals in flower beds. Even now the bright red inflorescences make it preferred for strong contrasts with other flowering species, especially seed annuals such as alyssum, angy begonias, lobelias lido, impatiens raffael and tagetes endurance yellow, zinnias dune.

curiosity and special features

The generic name, Salvia, derives from the Latin salveo meaning save or heal in reference to the medicinal properties attributed to certain plants belonging to the genus, while the specific epithet means splendid in relation to the showy and elegant blooms.

It belongs to the Labiatae or Lamiaceae family which includes more than 7000 species, including rosemary, thyme, lavender and basil.

Origin and Diffusion

Native to South America, particularly south-eastern Brazil where it grows in humid biomes at an altitude of 2000/3000 metres; it was described and introduced to Europe in the early 1800s as an ornamental plant, cultivated in English greenhouses and gardens and then spread everywhere. Today it is commonly used as an annual in all temperate areas of the world to decorate gardens and terraces with a large number of varieties.

Flower size

The flower is medium in size, grouped in a showy inflorescence.

Leaf

Leaf has a lanceolate, oval lamina.

Flowering period

Flowering lasts from mid-spring to early autumn for a duration of 140 to 160 days, a prolonged time interval that allows us to enjoy its flowers for almost three seasons, even in composition with other ornamentals that can be alternated throughout the year to achieve a pleasant continuity of colour.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence spike with high decorative value.

Leaf color

Solid-coloured leaf, in perfect colour harmony with the shade of the inflorescences.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.25 to 0.3 m, accentuated by the perspective effect of the inflorescences rising from the foliage. It is also ideal as a first or second tier plant in mixed bed compositions.

Lifespan

Often cultivated as an annual plant in relation to the climatic conditions present.

Suggested planting locations

The elegance of the inflorescences and the sinuosity of the habit make it ideal for use on its own or in compositions with other varieties or ornamental species in flowerbeds, balconies, outdoor tubs, borders, and flowerbeds.

Stem/stem

Herbaceous stem, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower has a simple, medium-sized form with a labial corolla and plain petals. It is arranged in medium-sized spike-like inflorescences. It flowers from mid-spring to early autumn, with a flowering period of between 140 and 160 days. It exudes a citrusy, bitterish scent with a penetrating aroma. It is attractive to bees and butterflies.

Growth

Compact growing variety, ideal for creating homogenous, dense groups.

Plant habit

With its upright habit, it can easily be combined with other ornamentals with different habitus and colour shades of the blooms, creating an alternation of colours and heights with a pleasant overall movement.

branching

It develops by producing abundant branching with an appropriate ratio of foliage to inflorescence.

pH

For Salvia splendens, the optimal pH levels of the soil or substrate are sub-acidic, between 5.5 and 6.2; in general, they should not be higher than 6.5 so as not to impair the plant's growth due to the reduced availability of boron.

soil preparation

Before transplanting in mid-spring-early summer, depending on the variety, carry out 20/30 cm deep digging to remove any weeds, residues of previous crops and bulky stones, then bury organic or chemical slow-release fertiliser and, with the help of a hoe, break up the coarsest clods. To improve the drainage of excess water, preventing water stagnation, continue with a slight ballasting of the soil, thus creating a raised bed where the seedlings will be transplanted according to a suitable planting pattern, and finally level the surface carefully.

sun exposure

Suitable for exposure in half-shade, full sun, afternoon sun; the light factor is of paramount importance to achieve excellent flowering from mid-spring to early autumn.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 17 and 21 °C. The biological temperature is between 6 and 34 °C. It adapts well to hot summer climates.

Use

Appreciated for the blooms that rise from its dense foliage, it is one of the main herbaceous plants used in
Outdoor ornamentals Landscaping

Hardiness

Variety with high rusticity.

Soil/medium

For use in flowerbeds or borders, the best soil condition is a medium-textured or sandy soil, which is well-drained and well-drained, while for planters or tubs use a high-quality substrate for spring plants based on peat and perlite.

Maintenance

Cultivation is fairly easy with a low level of management effort required, a factor that adds value to the variety.

cultivation tips

In order to achieve the best results in vegetative growth and flowering, it is important to consider the following cultivation aspects:

Balanced fertilisation Keeping the substrate dry at low temperatures

Composition

Enhanced in mixed compositions with other varieties of Salvia splendens with different flowering colours as well as with ornamental flowering species or those with variegated or silvery foliage. Depending on the variety chosen it can be used with Begonia semperflorens, Cineraria maritima, Cosmos bipinnatus, Helichrysum petiolare, Heuphorbia hypericifolia, Ipomea x hybrida, Lobularia x hybrida, Lobularia maritima, Petunia grandiflora, Salvia farinacea, Tagetes patula x erecta, Zinnia marylandica. Take care, before transplanting, to consider the final height reached by an individual plant.

planting

For bed planting we recommend an average density of 26 plants per square metre in order to ensure the correct development of each individual specimen, allowing it to express its vegetative vigour to the full and thus obtaining proportionate and harmonious final compositions. We suggest placing each seedling on a raised bed with the collar outside the soil surface, taking care not to damage the roots and avoiding completely sinking the root balls, which must be well moistened; finally, water immediately after planting, preferably during the morning hours.

Reproduction/Propagation

By seed or apical cutting.

Irrigation

Use rainwater, alternatively chloride-poor aqueduct or canal water, either manually or with an irrigation system. At transplanting, provide an initial abundant wetting, keeping the humidity constant, and assist the seedling to take root properly in the new site. Subsequent watering should be regular but moderate, taking care to allow the soil or substrate to dry out slightly between each watering, but avoiding dry blows which can lead to leaf crumpling; also do not over-water, preventing stagnation and consequent root rot. It is advisable not to water the aerial part of the plant from above during the late afternoon or evening to prevent the spread of phytopathologies.

Fertilization

During pre-transplant soil preparation, carry out background fertilisation by burying slow-release organic or chemical fertiliser. During the spring-summer period, following proper post-transplant settlement, regularly apply a balanced fertiliser suitable for ornamental Species to the soil or medium at the foot of the plant, to be distributed in liquid form, i.e. diluted in the irrigation water, without exceeding the frequency and doses applied.

Edibility for humans

Inedible.

advise 1

Nitrogen deficiency is manifested by general lightening of the vegetation, starting with the lowest leaves. Maintain nitrogen levels of 100-200 ppm. Phosphorous deficiency is shown by purplish colouration of the lower leaves.