Tropical sage blooms to audience of butterflies
By JANE WEBER
Published May 30, 2006
Wildflowers are blooming along Citrus County roadsides and in highway medians in spite of this year's unusual, prolonged dry spell. Tropical sage, whose scientific or botanical name is Salvia coccinea, has attractive, bright red spikes of tubular, two-lopped flowers that bloom from March until the first frost of late fall.
In a protected location in the garden, this erect, 2- to 4-foot-tall native wildflower may blossom right through a mild winter. It grows throughout most of Florida on disturbed sites, roadsides, hammocks and in pine-oak woodlands. Gardeners covet tropical sage because it produces nectar that attracts hummingbirds and the larger butterfly species with a tongue (proboscis) long enough to reach the sweet food. Giant, spicebush, zebra and Eastern tiger swallowtail butterflies frequently dine at the inchlong flowers. No butterfly garden would be complete without it.
This aromatic herb is an easy-to-grow, short-lived perennial that readily reseeds itself. It is xeric, or drought-tolerant, once established. It adapts well to weekly irrigation but does not like wet or soggy soil. Well-drained sandy soil, amended with organic compost that is only slightly acidic, suits it best.
Exposure should be full sun to high dappled shade for profuse blooming. Too dense shade will cause tropical sage to grow tall and leggy.
The leaves are opposite each other along the stem, oval to somewhat heart-shaped, toothed like a saw blade along the edges or margins and quite aromatic when crushed. Cut and dry sprigs of leaves in a dark, well-ventilated place, then crush the crisp fragrant leaves for use in sachets.
The seeds are brown, ellipse-shaped capsules that burst open when ripe and disperse to grow nearby. The only disadvantage is that tropical sage self-sows a little too readily. Seedlings can easily be prevented by sprinkling the soil with a selective, pre-emergent herbicide that will not harm the environment, existing plants, insects, pets, people or wildlife.
All large, commercial nurseries, theme parks, resorts, golf courses and hotels use such "pre-M" preventives. Several brands are available at agricultural supply companies such as Lesco on Easy Street off State Road 44.
Available from smaller nurseries, tropical sage is a welcome addition to any wildflower, butterfly or xeric garden.
This article is provide by Jane Weber, professional gardener, grower, consultant, designer and environmentalist. Visit her Certified Florida Yard and Backyard Wildlife Habitat, 5019 W Stargazer Lane, Dunnellon. Call (352) 465-0649.