Roman Red Salvia
Best hummingbird-attracting shrub for vibrant, long-blooming garden containers and landscapes.
This vigorous yet compact tropical Salvia hybrid, 'Roman Red', boasts large, intense red tubular flowers emerging from deep red calyxes on tall spikes. It blooms throughout the growing season, offering a vibrant display. A cross between _Salvia darcyi_ and _S. coccinea_, it's ideal for containers, gardens, and landscapes, attracting hummingbirds with its nectar-rich blooms. It thrives in full to mostly sunny locations with average, moist, well-drained, fertile soil. Regular feeding and occasional shearing can encourage continuous flowering and healthy growth.
$12.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
34
/ 2598
#34 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
-67%
Below average
Grows To
24362436
/ -''H x -''W
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking high-impact, long-season floral color
- Conservationists looking to attract local pollinators
- Busy homeowners wanting low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants
Who should skip it
- Cold-climate gardeners avoiding annual plant replacements
- Minimalists preferring plants that require zero pruning
- Owners of shady yards or heavy clay soil
Performance breakdown
Pollinator Attraction
Nectar-rich tubular blooms act as a magnet for local hummingbirds.
Bloom Longevity
Consistent flowering from spring through fall provides season-long garden color.
Growth Habit
Compact, vigorous structure fits perfectly in both containers and landscape borders.
Climate Versatility
Strictly limited to warmer zones, requiring frost-free environments to thrive.
Maintenance Ease
Simple shearing and regular feeding keep this hybrid looking its best.
Deer Resistance
Moderate protection levels offer decent defense against common garden browsing.
Key Specs
Grows To
24-36''H x 24-36''W
USDA Cold Hardiness Zones (2012)
10,11
pH Range
Acidic, Mildly Acidic, Neutral, Mildly Alkaline
Soil & Moisture
Average moist, well-drained, moderately fertile soils.
Flowering Period
Spring to fall.
Fertilizing
In spring, once new growth begins, until about midsummer. Potentially year-round under warm frost-free conditions.
When to Plant
In spring, once all danger of hard freezes and frosts have passed and soil temperatures have begun to warm, until about midsummer.
Deer Resistance
Moderate
Features
- Produces large, intense red tubular flowers on tall spikes.
- Blooms throughout the growing season.
- Attracts hummingbirds.
- Suitable for containers, gardens, and landscapes.
- Vigorous yet compact growth habit.
- Hybridized for vibrant color and strong performance.
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the Roman Red Salvia from Almost Eden Plants for its exceptional quality and vibrant performance. Many highlight receiving healthy, robust plants that establish quickly and thrive, producing abundant, striking red blooms. The plant's reliability in various garden settings, coupled with its vigorous growth and consistent flowering, makes it a highly valued addition. Gardeners appreciate its ability to attract pollinators, enhancing garden biodiversity. This salvia offers excellent value, delivering a beautiful, low maintenance display year after year.
Know before you buy
Yes, its compact growth habit makes it an excellent choice for containers. Ensure your pot has adequate drainage and is large enough to accommodate its mature size of 24 to 36 inches in width.
Roman Red Salvia is hardy only in USDA zones 10 and 11. If you live in a cooler climate, you will need to treat it as an annual or bring your containerized plant indoors before the first frost.
For the best performance and continuous flowering, place this plant in a location that receives full to mostly sunny exposure. Insufficient light may result in leggy growth and fewer blooms.
To encourage continuous flowering, provide regular feeding from spring through midsummer. Additionally, occasional light shearing can help maintain its shape and promote fresh flushes of blooms.
Yes, the tubular shape and intense red color of the flowers are specifically adapted to attract hummingbirds. It is a highly effective choice if you are looking to support local pollinators.
This plant offers moderate deer resistance. While deer generally prefer other plants, it is not considered completely deer-proof, so you may want to use protective measures if you have high deer pressure in your area.
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$13