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Salvia Windwalker® Royal Red
Salvia Windwalker® Royal Red
Salvia Windwalker® Royal Red
Salvia Windwalker® Royal Red

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Salvia Windwalker® Royal Red

(Windwalker® Royal Red Salvia) Salvia darcyi x S. microphylla 'PWIN03S' is one of the top 2015 plants for USDA Cold Hardiness Zone 5 selected by Colorado's Plant Select®, a nonprofit organization that focuses on promoting plants for low-water gardens.

Common name This is the non-scientific name used for a plant. A plant may have several common names, depending on the gardener's location. To further confuse the matter, a common name may be shared by several completely different plants. At Flowers by the Sea, we rely on the scientific name to identify our plants and avoid confusion. Windwalker® Royal Red Salvia
USDA Zones The U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones indicate the temperature zones where a plant is likely to thrive. It is determined by the average annual winter minimum temperature. Actual winter temperatures may be higher or lower than the average. 5 - 9
Size (h/w/fh) The anticipated mature size of the plant: Height, Width & Flower Height. 48"/60"/48"
Exposure This is the average amount of sunlight that a plant needs to thrive. Generally, full sun exposure is 6 or more hours of direct sun daily while partial shade is less than 4 hours of sun or dappled shade all day. Plants may tolerate more sunlight in cooler climates and need afternoon shade in extremely hot climates. Full sun
Soil type This is the kind of soil that a plant needs to thrive. Most plants require a well-drained soil that allows the water to soak into the soil without becoming soggy. Sandy and clay soils can be improved by digging in compost to improve drainage. Well drained
Water needs Plants have specific water requirements. Water loving means the plant needs regular watering to keep the soil moist. Average generally indicates applying 1 inch of water per week, or watering when the soil is dry to a depth of 3 to 4 inches. One inch of water is equal to 5 gallons per square yard of soil surface. Average
Container plant? "Yes" indicates that this plant can be successfully grown as a container plant. Yes
Hummingbird plant? Hummingbirds have been observed regularly feeding from this plant's flowers. Yes
Mature height The mature height of this plant in average conditions. 3 to 4 feet
Mature spread The mature width of this plant in average conditions. 3 to 4 feet
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  • Salvia Windwalker® Royal Red
  • Salvia Windwalker® Royal Red
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(Windwalker® Royal Red Salvia) Salvia darcyi x S. microphylla 'PWIN03S' is one of the top 2015 plants for USDA Cold Hardiness Zone 5 selected by Colorado's Plant Select®, a nonprofit organization that focuses on promoting plants for low-water gardens.

Exceptionally cold-tolerant varieties of Salvia darcyi (Mexican Sage) and Salvia microphylla (Mountain Sage) are rare. This floriferous cross of the two species tolerates winter chill down to -20 degrees F in dry climate areas.

Windwalker® is a series of xeric, high-altitude plants created by Coloradan plantsman Kelly Grummons of the Denver metro area's former Timberline Gardens. We find that it also grows well on our coastal farm in Northern California. In wet winter areas it needs special treatment - very cold and wet is a combination that is difficult for this variety.

Unlike Plant Select's equally cold-resistant S. darcyi 'Vermilion Bluffs', which blooms most heavily from late summer to fall, Windwalker® Royal Red Salvia begins flowering in June. Burgundy calyxes and stems support its blood-red flowers and contrast dramatically with mid-green foliage. Both plants are native to the American Southwest and Mexico.

This wide-spreading, heat-tolerant perennial loves full sun. It attracts honeybees and hummingbirds, yet doesn't inspire munching by deer. Give it average watering based on local conditions. However, this is a tough plant that resists drought.

Plant Select notes that this Windwalker® hybrid is adaptable to loam, clay and sandy soils that drain well. Clay, of course, is rich in nutrients. Add plenty of organic matter, such as compost, for good drainage. On the other extreme, sandy soils become richer with the addition of compost.