Vermilion Bluffs® Mexican Salvia

Salvia darcyi ‘Pscarl’ Vermilion Bluffs® (Mexican Sage) was developed by Denver Botanic Gardens and introduced through Plant Select® as an exceptionally hardy S. darcyi that can withstand the cold winters of the Rocky Mountain Regions. Vermilion Bluffs® is a large perennial reaching up to 4 feet tall. Its vibrant crimson red flowers bloom continuously in late summer to fall, creating a striking visual display and attracting hummingbirds.

While Vermilion Bluffs® is hardy to Zone 5b, it requires a warm, sheltered spot to endure harsh winters. In colder climates, it can be treated as an annual. Remove spent blooms to promote additional flowering, and in the fall, trim back dead leaves and stems as the plant enters dormancy. Be sure to plant in well-drained soil and provide additional mulch for added protection in winter.

Thrives in high elevations up to 6200 ft.

The species Mexican sage (Salvia darcyi) was collected by John Fairey and Carl Schoenfeld in the Sierra Madre Oriental in Mexico in 1991, and introduced into commerce at Yucca Do Nursery in Hempstead, Texas. Selected for their unique cold hardiness compared to the straight native species, VERMILION BLUFFS® was introduced through Plant Select® in 2007.