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| Category: Perennial |
| Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae) (Mints) |
| Origin: Mexico (North America) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Red |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Fall |
| Synonyms: [Salvia schaffneri, S. oresbia] |
| Height: 2-4 feet |
| Width: Spreading |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F |
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Salvia darcyi (Galeana Red Sage) - An evergreen to deciduous (winter dependent) salvia that comes from a limited area in the eastern Sierra Madre Occidental at an altitude of 9,000 ft. It reaches 2-4 feet in height out in the open and taller if supported and spreads by stolons to produce wide clumps that are densely covered with the pastel green triangular shaped leaves that have a pleasant aroma when bruised or crushed. In late spring to early summer the long terminal racemes of bright coral-red flowers arise above the foliage and often with a peak in flowering again in fall. Plant in full to part sun (the more sun the better) and give regular to occasional deep irrigation - tolerates less but doesn't look nearly as nice. It is noted to be cold hardy to at least 20° F and we have heard from a gardener in Southwestern Texas who tells us it withstood 45 consecutive hours in the single digits (Fahrenheit) with a low of 1° F. Noted Salviaphile Richard Dufressne says of this plant: "This is one of my favorite sages for growing in the Southeastern states. … For me it is pleasantly persistent and not invasive. It is a reliable summer bloomer, and forms spikes bearing some of the largest red flowers in the genus. Betsy Clebsch, author of The Book of Salvias is fond of this sage and notes that "gardeners who are interested in color will find Salvia darcyi an unprecedented plant". This plant was originally discovered by Carl Schoenfeld and John Fairey of Yucca Do Nursery near Galena, Mexico, in 1988 and in 1991 they guided a British expedition that included British botanist James Compton to a site where it was found growing along a rocky limestone ravine at 9,000 feet in the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range. Though originally called Salvia oresbia, Compton officially described it in a 1994 issue of the journal of Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, naming it after Canadian born botanist William G. D'Arcy, who accompanied him on the collection trip and so it is also commonly called Darcy's sage. We first got this plant from Mountain States Wholesale Nursery and have grown it since 2001.
This information about Salvia darcyi displayed is based on research conducted in our library and from reliable online resources. We will also note observations that we have made about it as it grows in the gardens in our nursery and those elsewhere, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others, and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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