Salvia miniata

Salvia miniata

Salvia miniata grows to 1m tall and is a red-flowered species with attractive shiny leaves and slender blooms. It is sometimes known colloquially as Belize sage. It comes from Mexico and can flower all year round in our climate, although is never a mass of blooms. It enjoys a part-shaded position, as in its native habitat, tending to wilt in hotter spots. It likes reasonable moisture and won't do well in a very dry spot. It combines well with hot-coloured red-centred bromeliad species, cane Begonia, or so-called red justicia (Odontonema strictum) in a shady site. It tends to sucker a bit, but is not invasive. It is best to prune it back in late winter. It is frost-sensitive.