Plant pickup: Thursdays 3–7pm · Also by appointment 512.348.7570
Plant pickup: Thursdays 3–7pm · Also by appointment 512.348.7570
— Plant Nursery · Texas-Grown
$10.00
Mature Plant Size: 2-3’x1.5-3′
Furman’s Red Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii ‘Furman’s Red’) is a classic Texas selection of Autumn Sage with deep raspberry-red tubular flowers and small, glossy, aromatic leaves on a compact shrubby plant. It blooms in spring and fall with scattered flowers between, and is exceptionally drought tolerant and heat tolerant. Hummingbirds and butterflies love it, and deer tend to leave it alone.
Our Furman’s Red Autumn Sage transplants are grown for compact, well-branched growth and heavy bloom production suited to Austin borders and containers.
2 in stock
Low water needs once established
Drought tolerant; overwatering causes root rot
Little to no fertilizer needed
Cut back by one-third to one-half in late February or early March to keep plants compact
Light shearing after the main spring flush encourages fall bloom
Remove winter-damaged stems
Root rot in heavy or wet soil
Leggy, sparse growth if unpruned or in shade
Few insect or disease problems
A classic autumn sage selection, well adapted to Austin
Pair with pink and white autumn sage for a layered hummingbird planting
Prune in late winter rather than fall
First major bloom flush; prune in February to early March before it
Scattered bloom in heat; sporadic flowers continue from early summer
Second major bloom flush; hummingbirds feed heavily as they migrate
Semi-evergreen; cut back in late winter
Fall (preferred) or spring
Ideal soil temperatures: 55-80 F
Full sun; tolerates afternoon shade in extreme heat
Minimum 6 hours daily
2-3 feet apart
Allows for mature size (24-36 inches tall, 18-36 inches wide)
Well-draining soil; tolerates rocky, alkaline, and clay soil if it drains
Does not tolerate wet feet
pH 6.5-8.0
Water deeply at planting
Water weekly for the first 4-6 weeks
Reduce to occasional deep watering once established
Salvia greggii ‘Furman’s Red’ is not commonly listed by the ASPCA toxicity database, so no verdict is available either way. The ASPCA lists scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea) and common sage (Salvia officinalis) as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, but that does not confirm other Salvia species. Keep an eye on pets around any unlisted plant and discourage grazing.
