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Salvia darcyi x splendens 'Roman Red'
Salvia darcyi x splendens 'Roman Red'
Salvia darcyi x splendens 'Roman Red'

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Salvia darcyi x splendens 'Roman Red'

(Roman Red Sage) This handsome, long blooming hybrid sage features a dramatic combination of scarlet flowers and deep rust-to-merlot calyxes. Deadheading spent blossoms prolongs bloom time.

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. Roman Red Sage
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. 9 - 11
Size (h/w/fh) The anticipated mature size of the plant: Height, Width & Flower Height. 36"/36"/42"+
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 to partial shade
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. Rich and 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
Patent # This plant is patented, or a patent application has been filed and is pending and may not be propagated, under U.S. Federal Code, Title 35, Part II, Chapter 15 §161 without a license from the patent holder. PPAF
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. 2 to 3 feet
Mature spread The mature width of this plant in average conditions. 2 to 3 feet
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  • Salvia darcyi x splendens 'Roman Red'
Degree of Difficulty
Easy
Degree of Difficulty
This plant is easy to grow in a variety of conditions.
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(Roman Red Sage) This handsome, long blooming hybrid sage features a dramatic combination of scarlet flowers and deep rust-to-merlot calyxes. Deadheading spent blossoms prolongs bloom time.

Compact and heavily branched, Salvia darcyi x splendens is smaller and has a more rounded, tidy form than most of its Scarlet Sage relatives in our catalog. It’s a good fit for tucking into container plantings, along pathways, and at the front of flowerbed borders whether in full sun or partial shade.

When considering a new hybrid, it’s difficult not to get caught up in questions of which side of its lineage it most resembles. For example, similar to its native Mexican parent Galeana Sage (S. darcyi), Roman Red has triangular, mid-green leaves. In contrast, its native Brazilian parent Scarlet Sage (S. splendens) has blue-green, oval foliage. Also, the flowers of Roman Red are larger than those of S. darcyi.

One characteristic yet to be defined concerns the relative cold hardiness of Roman Red, which is something we haven’t yet had a chance to test. However, given the hardiness of S. darcyi — native to an altitude of 9,000 feet in the eastern mountains of the Sierra Madre Occidental —it’s possible that Roman Red may handle lower temperatures than S. splendens.  

This Sage will attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.  In fact, hummingbirds love it!