PlantFiles: Big Mexican Scarlet Sage
Salvia gesneriiflora 'Tequila'

This plant grew out of bounds, smothering other plants as it grew. I had professionals remove the plant, which had stems as thick as 2". Wild flower seeds have not sprouted in the area where it grew, although the same seeds sprouted profusely elsewhere. Does anyone know if the plant produces allelopathic chemicals?
I will say that hummingbirds liked the flowers, but there are better behaved Salvias. I bought the plant as a little rooted cutting at a Huntington plant sale a few years ago. When I had it removed, it covered an area 12' in diameter. Maybe if I had put it in an unwatered part ot my property, I wouldn't have had this problem.

We are growing this cultivar along with the 'Mole Poblano' cultivar. They froze a bit in our zone during a really severe frost and a few branches broke under the weight of the first snow we've had since 1967, but they came out of their winter rest cycle full blast. The flowers are so bright that visitors to our garden thought they were fakes.

Species information: subshrubby perennial bearing ovate, scalloped, hairy, mid-green leaves to 4" long with heart-shaped bases. From early spring to mid-autumn, many branched stems bear terminal racemes of numerous, softly hairy red flowers.

Outdoors, grow in light, moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. During growing season, water freely and apply balanced fertilizer monthly. Protect from excessive winter moisture if grown outside. During winter, water very sparingly and maintain low to moderate humidity (if indoors).

If starting from seed as an annual. Sow seed at 61-64 deg F or after all danger of frost has passed.
Zones 9-10.