Royal Bumble Salvia Salvia 'Royal Bumble'
ABOUT
The Royal Bumble is a striking plant known for its vibrant flowers and aromatic foliage. It showcases deep, red flowers that are tubular in shape and are arranged in whorls along the upright stems. These blooms are a magnet for bees and butterflies who are drawn to the intense color and nectar. The leaves of the Royal Bumble are equally attractive, with a lush green coloring and a velvety texture. They emit a pleasant fragrance when brushed or crushed, which is typical of the family to which the Royal Bumble belongs. This plant has a bushy habit with a decent spread and tends to be quite full and dense in its foliage, providing a rich backdrop for the showy flowers that bloom prolifically throughout the growing season.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Royal Bumble Salvia, Royal Bumble Garden Sage.
Common names
Salvia 'Royal Bumble'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Royal Bumble salvia is generally considered non-toxic to humans. However, it is always prudent to avoid ingesting parts of ornamental plants as they are not intended for human consumption and individual allergic reactions or mild gastrointestinal upset cannot be completely ruled out.
To pets
The Royal Bumble salvia is not known to be toxic to pets. It is typically safe around animals, but as with humans, it is advisable to prevent pets from consuming ornamental plants as they are not meant for ingestion, and doing so may cause mild digestive distress in sensitive individuals.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Red
Height
2 feet (60 cm)
Spread
2 feet (60 cm)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Cultivar
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts pollinators: Salvia 'Royal Bumble' is highly attractive to bees and butterflies, which helps with the pollination of gardens and supports the local ecosystem.
- Easy to grow: This plant is known for its ease of cultivation, being adaptable to various soils and tolerant of drought once it's established.
- Long blooming period: It offers a long flowering season, which can last from early summer until the first frosts, providing prolonged beauty to the garden.
- Vivid coloration: The plant is renowned for its striking deep red flowers that add a vibrant pop of color to any garden setting.
- Herbaceous perennial: As a perennial, it will return year after year, saving gardeners time and money on replanting.
- Low maintenance: Salvia 'Royal Bumble' requires minimal care beyond the basic needs, which makes it ideal for busy or novice gardeners.
- Drought tolerance: Once established, it has a good tolerance to dry conditions, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Deer resistant: The natural resistance to deer browsing means less damage from wildlife and less need for protective measures.
- Compact growth habit: Its relatively small size and bushy habit make it suitable for borders, small gardens, and container gardening.
- Seasonal interest: In addition to flowers, its textured leaves and stems provide visual interest throughout the growing season.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Artistic Dye: The blossoms of Royal Bumble can be used to create a natural dye for fabrics, offering colors from soft green to muted yellow hues depending on the mordant.
- Photography Subject: With its vivid red flowers, Royal Bumble serves as an excellent subject for macro photography and garden photography, capturing the vibrant aesthetics of pollinator-friendly gardens.
- Scented Sachets: Dried Royal Bumble leaves can be placed in small sachets to create a lightly scented item for drawers and closets to impart a gentle, herbal fragrance.
- Candle Making: The flowers and leaves of Royal Bumble can be incorporated into homemade candles for decoration, adding a touch of natural beauty and subtle fragrance to the wax.
- Natural Insect Repellant: Some people use the leaves of Royal Bumble as a natural insect repellant by crushing the leaves and rubbing them on skin or placing them near outdoor sitting areas.
- Plant Companion: Royal Bumble can be planted alongside vegetable gardens to attract pollinators and improve the yield of vegetables like tomatoes and peppers.
- Floral Arrangements: Fresh or dried, the striking blooms of Royal Bumble make an excellent addition to floral arrangements, adding a pop of color and texture.
- Educational Tool: Royal Bumble can be utilized in educational settings such as schools and nature centers to teach about plant-pollinator relationships and the importance of nectar-rich flowers for local ecosystems.
- Garden Border Accent: Planted along edges or walkways, Royal Bumble can serve as a vibrant border accent in landscape design, guiding the eye and enhancing garden aesthetics.
- Culinary Garnish: While not a common use, the flowers of Royal Bumble can occasionally serve as an edible garnish, adding color to salads and desserts. It's important to note, however, that they should be consumed in moderation and only when grown without pesticides.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Salvia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Salvia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Healing: Similar to other salvia varieties, Royal Bumble is associated with healing due to salvia's historical use in medicinal practices.
- Wisdom: Salvia derives from the Latin word for 'to save' or 'to heal,' which is often translated to a symbolic meaning of wisdom and knowledge.
- Protection: In some traditions, salvia is thought to ward off evil and protect those who keep it nearby.
- Longevity: The hardiness and long-blooming nature of the Royal Bumble can be seen as a symbol of persistence and long life.
- Immortality: Due to its perennial nature and the belief in salvia's healing properties, this plant may also symbolize immortality.
WaterRoyal Bumble Sage should be watered thoroughly once the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, typically about once a week. Give enough water to soak the roots, using approximately 1 to 1.5 gallons depending on the size of the plant and the environmental conditions. During the hot summer months, watering frequency may increase, while in cooler or rainy periods, it may decrease. Always avoid overwatering, as this plant prefers well-drained soil and does not like to sit in water. During winter in colder climates, reduce watering as the plant goes dormant.
LightRoyal Bumble Sage thrives best in full sun with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. It performs well when positioned in a spot that receives morning light and partial shade in the hottest part of the afternoon, although it can tolerate full sun all day as long as it gets sufficient water. Avoid deep shade as it can lead to poor flowering and weak growth.
TemperatureRoyal Bumble Sage prefers temperatures ranging between 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal growth. The plant is hardy and can survive minimum temperatures down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, but it may die back in colder climates and re-emerge in spring. Providing a mulch layer can help protect its roots from extreme cold.
PruningPruning Royal Bumble Sage promotes bushier growth and encourages more blooms. Prune in early spring to remove any winter damage and shape the plant, and then deadhead regularly to prolong flowering. In warmer areas, a more thorough cutback can be done after the main bloom period to rejuvenate the plant for a fall bloom.
CleaningAs needed
SoilRoyal Bumble Sage thrives in well-draining, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A mix of loam, compost, and coarse sand or perlite will enhance drainage while maintaining fertility. Regular application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer during the growing season can promote healthy growth.
RepottingRoyal Bumble Sage should be repotted every 1 to 2 years to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth. It is best to repot in early spring before the new growth starts, ensuring minimal stress on the plant.
Humidity & MistingRoyal Bumble Sage prefers moderate humidity but is quite adaptable. It can thrive in average home humidity levels and does not require any special misting or humidity trays.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Royal Bumble Sage in a sunny spot and water when topsoil dries.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun to part shade, well-drained soil, and space 18 inches apart.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleRoyal Bumble Sage starts its life cycle as a seed, which germinates in warm, moist soil in the spring. After germination, the seedling emerges and begins to grow into a young plant with characteristic fragrant, green leaves. As it matures, the plant develops a sturdy stem and a bushy structure, blooming with vibrant red flowers that attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds during summer and early fall. Throughout the growing season, it undergoes vegetative growth and can be propagated through cuttings to produce new plants. After flowering, if seeds are produced, they drop and may give rise to new plants the following spring. The plant is perennial, so with proper care and in the right climate, it will die back to the ground in late fall or winter and reemerge from its root system the next spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: The Salvia 'Royal Bumble', commonly known as Royal Bumble Sage, can be propagated most effectively through semi-hardwood cuttings. This method is usually done in late summer when the plant's growth begins to slow and the stems are not as tender as they are in the spring. To propagate, one would cut a 4 to 6-inch (10 to 15 cm) length of stem, ensuring that there are at least a couple of leaf nodes present. The lower leaves are then stripped off, and the cut end is dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root growth. This cutting is then placed into a well-draining potting mix and kept in a warm, humid environment until roots have developed, which typically takes a few weeks. During this time, the cutting must be kept moist but not waterlogged, and once established with a good root system, it can be transplanted into the garden.
