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Salvia greggii 'Dark Dancer'

Image of Salvia greggii 'Dark Dancer'

JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University

Family

Lamiaceae

Botanical Name

Salvia greggii 'Dark Dancer'

Plant Common Name

Autumn Sage

General Description

This is one big, bold autumn sage. Throughout summer and fall, 'Dark Dancer' becomes covered with beautiful rich raspberry red flowers. It has a tall upright bushy habit and is free-flowering, especially in the heat of summer. This popular evergreen ornamental originates from the dry washes and rocky hillsides of Texas and Mexico, so it’s tough and thrives in arid climates.

Soft, green, lightly fragrant leaves cover this plant throughout the season. The foliage is evergreen where winters are mild and semi-evergreen at its northernmost hardiness zone. Vibrant raspberry red flowers brighten its stems throughout the growing season. Flowering will even continue well into winter where frost is absent. The tubular blooms have prominent flared lower lips and are borne in small, loose clusters. They are prolific and highly attractive to hummingbirds.

Drought tolerant and tough, autumn sage is easy to grow if provided with full sun and well-drained, average soil. This is a subshrub in very mild climates, which means that it develops woody basal stems and reaches a larger size over time. It requires minimal maintenance but looks better if occasionally shaped and cut back. This will encourage heavier blooming too. In harsh winters plants may freeze to the ground and resprout from the base like an herbaceous perennial.

This is the all purpose drought tolerant plant for adding late summer color to dull beds and borders. Its bright flowers are super pollinator attractants and add color to containers and sunny mixed beds. In northern zones autumn sage may be grown as a tender perennial. Beware of its naturally brittle branches which are easily damaged in high traffic locations.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 4

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    7 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Perennial

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun

  • Height

    36"-48" / 91.4cm - 121.9cm

  • Width

    24"-28" / 61.0cm - 71.1cm

  • Bloom Time

    Indeterminate

  • Native To

    Texas, Mexico

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Clump-Forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Red, Rose

  • Fruit Color

    Brown

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    Yes

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    Semi-Evergreen

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Bedding Plant, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Wildflower

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Hummingbirds

  • Self-Sowing

    No