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Big Mexican Scarlet Sage 'Tequila' (Salvia gesneriiflora 'Tequila')

Tequila Sage
Tequila flowers
Tequila habit

Overview

Salvia gesneriiflora 'Tequila' (syn. S. gesneraeflora) is a magnificent, large shrubby sage from Mexico. It produces spectacular, foot-long spikes of brilliant scarlet flowers with prominent, dark purple-black calyces. The large, heart-shaped, bright green leaves are mildly aromatic. Blooms in late winter to spring in mild climates, or late summer to fall where frost-tender.

Taxonomy

Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Salvia
Species: gesneriiflora
Cultivar: 'Tequila'
Synonym: Salvia gesneraeflora

Culture

Full sun to part shade, rich soil, regular water. Grows 6–10 feet tall in frost-free areas; smaller where cut back by frost. Tender (zones 9–11). Excellent as a specimen, screen, or conservatory plant. Hummingbird magnet.

Salvias: Salvia leucantha: Mexican Bush Sage with Velvety Purple and White Flowers; Salvia splendens: Scarlet Sage, the Classic Red Bedding Annual; Salvia mexicana 'Limelight': Mexican Sage with Lime-Green Calyces; Salvia pentstemonoides: Big Red Sage, a Rare Texas Native; Mexican Bush Sage 'Midnight' (Salvia leucantha 'Midnight'); Scarlet Sage (Salvia splendens); Mexican Fuchsia Sage (Salvia iodantha); Scarlet Sage 'Bonfire' (Salvia splendens 'Bonfire'); Salvia splendens 'Paul' (Scarlet Sage); Salvia splendens 'Van-Houttei' (Scarlet Sage)

Garden Articles

Salvia splendens 'Red Hot Sally': Scarlet Sage with Compact Red Spikes

Scarlet Sage 'Dancing Flame' (Salvia splendens 'Dancing Flame')

Scarlet Sage 'Whopper Lighthouse' (Salvia splendens 'Whopper Lighthouse')

Hybrid Mexican Sage 'Raspberry Royale' (Salvia × jamensis 'Raspberry Royale')

Hybrid Sage 'Scarlet Spires' (Salvia 'Scarlet Spires')

Hybrid Sage 'Big Swing' (Salvia 'Big Swing')

Salvia splendens 'Van Houttei' (Scarlet Sage)

Plants

Rose Leaf Sage 'El Butano' (Salvia puberula 'El Butano')

Scarlet Sage 'Blue Ribbons' (Salvia splendens 'Blue Ribbons')

Salvia splendens 'Yvonne's Giant' – Towering Scarlet Sage

Salvia splendens 'Salsa Scarlet Bicolor' – Bedding Series Bicolor

Salvia splendens 'Hotline Blue' (Scarlet Sage)

Salvia splendens 'Strawberry Sundae' (Scarlet Sage)

Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha): The Velvety Purple Fall Bloomer