Crazy vivid fire engine red, velvety blooms, striking black stems and calyces and amazing vigor eventually lead all Salvia fans to crave this knockout Mexican native. Though it can grow to 10' x 10', chopping it back to 1' tall after bloom is finished will keep it at about half that size. Flamboyant, edible and filled with tasty nectar, the 2.5" flowers brighten up the garden from late Summer thru Winter (who needs Poinsettias?), enticing hummingbirds and neighbors! Fast growing and surprisingly hardy, it returns from temps as low as 16 F. Fragrant, tropicalesque emerald heart shaped leaves. Tolerates clayish soil but do provide an annual side dress of compost to keep it beautiful.