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Hardiness: USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade Light Shade
Danger: N/A
Bloom Color: Red
Bloom Time: Late Spring/Early Summer Mid Summer Late Summer/Early Fall
Foliage: Herbaceous Smooth-Textured
Other details: This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) 7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)
Propagation Methods: From herbaceous stem cuttings From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting: Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
On Jun 5, 2008, Suze_ from Bastrop County, TX (Zone 8b) wrote:
This is one of my top picks for a shade plant here in Texas, and it is also native to the area. It may not be as showy as some Salvias, but when it is in bloom, the long bloom spires (red to a deep reddish-orange) sure are pretty. I see most of the blooming in the spring and early summer, but it does continue to bloom sporadically throughout the summer and fall, especially if supplemental water is provided.
Fairly drought tolerant, and can make it just fine w/o a lot of extra watering and babying. Ir can also take a fair amount of sun, although a light to strong dapple seems to be what it prefers.
A perennial here, but also reseeds as well. The seedlings are easily enough pulled out or relocated, so I definitely would not consider it to be "invasive".
One thing I like about these plants is that the foliage is attractive (round, scalloped, sort of looks like heuchera foliage), so there is still some interest even when not in full bloom. Plus, the smell of the foliage (when nandled or crushed) is nice.
On Jul 10, 2003, christiantx from San Marcos, TX (Zone 8b) wrote:
Seed may be easily collected from pods on plant. The seed may be viewed inside the pod as w/ other salvia's and should be black before removed. Plant has scent of cedar if foliage is rubbed w/ fingers. As previously mentioned the red blooms add a very dramatic effect to shaded areas.I have several plants that are successful in full sun as well.
This plant will add an unexpected red accent to a shady, well-drained area, but does not bloom continuously. Should make a good early-season attraction for hummingbirds.
S. roemeriana seems to prefer shade to part shade and well drained soil with a fair amount of decomposed matter. In the wild, it seems to occur most abundantly near riperian limestone outcroppings with underlying seeps (but well away from the "fern and moss zone"). This is my opinion, based on my observations at three different Central Texas sites.
One herbacious stem cutting took about 6 weeks to root, but the roots grew very quickly once they started. [The cutting was salvaged after a local wild population was heavily damaged by irresponsible "flower pickers."
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Alameda, California Arlington, Texas Austin, Texas Dripping Springs, Texas Elgin, Texas Houston, Texas San Antonio, Texas San Marcos, Texas (2 reports)
One vendor has this plant for sale.
