Scarlet Sage Salvia 'Silas Dyson'
ABOUT
Salvia 'Silas Dyson' is a striking plant characterized by its deep plum or burgundy-colored flowers. Each individual flower is tubular, with two prominent lips; the upper lip typically forms a protective hood over the more delicate inner parts, while the lower lip serves as a landing pad for visiting pollinators. These flowers are arranged in whorls along the stem, creating an eye-catching display. The foliage of 'Silas Dyson' is equally attractive, composed of ovate to lance-shaped leaves with serrated margins. These leaves are typically a bright to deep green, which contrasts beautifully with the rich tones of the flowers. The leaves often emit a pleasant fragrance when crushed or brushed against, adding a sensory experience to the plant's visual appeal. The overall growth habit forms a dense, bushy clump, with the stems bearing both the aromatic leaves and flowers rising above the foliage base. Salvia 'Silas Dyson' is well-loved for its long blooming period, often providing color and interest in the garden for an extended time throughout the season.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Lamiaceae
Synonyms
Silas Dyson Salvia, Scarlet Sage
Common names
Salvia 'Silas Dyson'
ToxicityTo humans
Salvia 'Silas Dyson' is a cultivar of the common sage plant, which is generally considered non-toxic to humans. It is commonly used in cooking and has several medicinal properties. However, consuming it in extremely large quantities may lead to symptoms such as dizziness, vomiting, or abdominal pain due to the presence of thujone, a compound found in many sage plants. In normal culinary use, it is safe and not associated with toxicity.
To pets
Common sage, the species to which Salvia 'Silas Dyson' belongs, is generally not toxic to pets. It is not listed among the plants that are commonly known to be poisonous to animals such as cats and dogs. However, similar to humans, if a pet were to consume a very large amount of sage, it could potentially lead to gastrointestinal upset or central nervous system effects due to thujone. Normal incidental ingestion is unlikely to cause any significant problems.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Red
Height
3 feet (0.91 meters)
Spread
2 feet (0.61 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
Cultivar
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: Salvia 'Silas Dyson' is valued for its vibrant red flowers, which can enhance the visual appeal of any garden or landscape design.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers of this plant attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, supporting local ecosystems and pollination.
- Drought Resistance: Once established, it has good drought tolerance, making it suitable for water-wise gardens.
- Low Maintenance: It requires minimal care beyond the occasional pruning and can thrive without the need for frequent watering or fertilizing.
- Long Blooming Season: It has a lengthy blooming period from late spring to frost, providing a long-lasting display of color.
- Deer Resistance: Salvia 'Silas Dyson' is generally resistant to deer, which can be beneficial in areas where deer browsing is a problem.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Dye production: The leaves and flowers of Salvia 'Silas Dyson' can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, offering shades of green or blue depending on the mordant used.
- Art supplies: Crushed leaves or flower petals can be used as a pigment in homemade watercolors or inks for a unique, natural hue.
- Culinary garnish: Edible flowers can add vibrant color and a subtle, sage-like flavor to salads or as garnishes on dishes and desserts.
- Floral arrangements: The striking red flowers can be used in cut flower arrangements, providing height and a pop of color.
- Companion planting: Salvia can be planted alongside vegetables to attract pollinators and beneficial insects, helping to improve the yield of vegetable crops.
- Scented sachets: Dried flowers and leaves can be placed in cloth sachets to aromatize drawers and closets with their natural scent.
- Candle making: The essential oil or dried leaves of Salvia 'Silas Dyson' can be used to add a natural scent when making candles.
- Soaps and lotions: Infused oils made from the plant can be used in homemade soaps and lotions for their fragrance and potential skin-soothing properties.
- Garden edging: The dense growth habit of Salvia 'Silas Dyson' can serve as an attractive, low edging in garden design, giving structure to flower beds.
- Wildlife habitat: The plant can provide nectar for a variety of pollinators, including bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, supporting biodiversity.
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 and Medicinal Properties - Salvia is a member of the sage family, which is known for its healing properties and use in traditional medicine.
- Wisdom - Sage, the more common name for Salvia, has long been associated with wisdom and knowledge, making it a symbol of seeking spiritual or intellectual enlightenment.
- Cleansing and Purification - Sage is often used in smudging practices to cleanse spaces of negative energy, symbolizing purification and the removal of negativity.
- Longevity and Immortality - The durability and perennial nature of sage suggest associations with longevity and, in some cultures, immortality.
- Protection - In various customs, sage is believed to ward off evil spirits, providing protection to people and places.
WaterFor Scarlet Sage, water when the top inch of soil feels dry, which typically equates to once every 7 to 10 days, depending on weather conditions and plant size. Use room temperature water, applying it directly to the soil at the base of the plant until it begins to drain through the bottom of the pot – for a medium-sized plant, this might be around 16 ounces per watering session. During the active growing season in spring and summer, plants may need more frequent watering, while in winter, watering frequency should be reduced. Avoid overhead watering to prevent disease and ensure not to let the plant sit in waterlogged conditions.
LightScarlet Sage thrives in full sun to partial shade, but it's best situated where it can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. A spot that provides morning sun with some afternoon shade is ideal to protect its leaves from intense late-day sun, especially in hotter regions. Adequate light is essential for the plant to produce its vividly colored flowers and maintain healthy growth.
TemperatureScarlet Sage prefers warm conditions and fares well in temperatures ranging from 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It can withstand a minimum temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit but growth will slow as temperatures approach this lower limit. Protect the plant from frost, as temperatures below 50 degrees can be harmful.
PruningPruning Scarlet Sage encourages bushier growth and more blooms, and should be done in early spring or after the first flowering period. Cut back by about one-third to promote new growth and remove any dead or faded flowers to keep the plant looking tidy and to stimulate further blooming. The best time to prune is after the danger of frost has passed and when new growth appears.
CleaningAs needed
SoilScarlet Sage prefers well-draining soil enriched with organic matter, with an ideal pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. A mix of two parts garden soil, one part sand, and one part compost works well to promote healthy growth.
RepottingScarlet Sage should be repotted every 1-2 years or when it outgrows its container, to refresh the soil and provide space for root growth.
Humidity & MistingScarlet Sage thrives in moderate humidity levels but is tolerant of a wide range, making it adaptable to most ambient humidity conditions in homes.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Scarlet Sage near a sunny window and monitor soil moisture.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun to partial shade with good air circulation.
Hardiness zone
7-9 USDA
Life cycleSalvia 'Silas Dyson', commonly known as Silas Dyson Sage, begins its life cycle with seed germination, which occurs in warm conditions with adequate moisture. The seeds give rise to seedlings, which develop true leaves and undergo a period of vegetative growth, becoming established young plants. As they mature, they enter the flowering stage, producing striking red flowers that attract pollinators and set seed. Once pollinated, the flowers develop into seed capsules, completing the reproductive cycle. The plant can also propagate vegetatively through cuttings, which root and grow into new plants. In regions with cold winters, Silas Dyson Sage may die back to the ground, but if it is a perennial variety, it will regrow again from its root system in the spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: The Salvia 'Silas Dyson', commonly referred to simply as Salvia, can be most successfully propagated during the late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. The most popular method of propagation for this Salvia is by using stem cuttings. To do this, select a healthy, non-flowering stem and cut a 3 to 5 inch (about 7.6 to 12.7 centimeters) piece just below a node. It's beneficial to use a sharp, clean pair of pruners to make the cut to avoid damaging the plant. The lower leaves of the cutting should be removed, leaving only a few at the top. The cut end can be dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root growth before planting it in a well-draining potting mix. The cutting should be kept moist and in indirect sunlight until roots have formed, which typically takes a few weeks. Once established, the new Salvia plants can be transplanted to their final location.
