Salvia greggii 'Caramba'

Overview and Distinct Qualities

Salvia greggii 'Caramba' is a vibrant, floriferous variety of Salvia greggii (commonly known as Autumn Sage), valued for its bright cherry-red flowers, compact habit, and impressively long flowering season. Native to the arid regions of Texas and Mexico, this species thrives in sunny, dry gardens and offers outstanding drought tolerance once established.

'Caramba' is especially prized for its dense, bushy growth, high flower production, and continuous blooming from late spring into autumn. Its bold colour, aromatic foliage, and pollinator appeal make it a standout in borders, containers, and gravel gardens.

• Height: 40–60 cm

• Spread: 40–60 cm

• Flowers: Rich cherry-red, two-lipped blooms

• Foliage: Small, oval, mid-green leaves with a subtle minty fragrance

• Habit: Bushy, upright to rounded

• Type: Woody-based perennial or sub-shrub

• Flowering period: May to October

• Hardiness: RHS H4 (down to -5°C to -10°C)

• Pollinator value: Excellent – loved by bees and butterflies

Growing Conditions and Site Preferences

Salvia greggii 'Caramba' thrives in sunny, well-drained locations and is particularly well-suited to dry, exposed sites and Mediterranean-style gardens.

Light Requirements

• Requires full sun for optimal flowering and compact growth

• Avoid shade, which can lead to poor bloom and leggy growth

Soil Preferences

• Prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soils

• Thrives in sandy, chalky, or rocky ground

• Avoid heavy, poorly drained soils—add grit to improve drainage where needed

Planting Tips

• Best planted in spring or early autumn

• Space plants 40–50 cm apart for good airflow and shape development

• Ideal for:

  • Sunny borders

  • Dry slopes

  • Patio pots

  • Wildlife-friendly gardens

Watering, Feeding, and Maintenance

Watering

• Water regularly during the first growing season

• Once established, 'Caramba' is drought-tolerant and only needs watering in prolonged dry spells

• Avoid overwatering or waterlogging

Feeding

• Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in early spring

• Container plants may benefit from light liquid feeding every 4–6 weeks during summer

Pruning

• Lightly trim after each flowering flush to maintain compactness and encourage rebloom

• In early spring, prune back more thoroughly by 1/3 to remove winter damage and stimulate fresh growth

• Avoid cutting back to woody stems—always leave green shoots

Design Use and Companion Planting

With its bold colour and long flowering period, 'Caramba' adds vibrancy and structure to a variety of garden styles.

Best Uses

• Front or mid-border planting

• Gravel and Mediterranean gardens

• Containers on sunny patios

• Cottage gardens or informal beds

• Wildlife gardens and pollinator borders

Companion Plants

• Pairs beautifully with:

  • Lavender, Nepeta, Coreopsis, Echinacea, Gaura, Penstemon, and Achillea

• Great with silver foliage like Artemisia, Stachys byzantina, or Senecio ‘Angel Wings’

• Combines well with ornamental grasses like Festuca glauca and Pennisetum

Additional Notes

• Pollinator Friendly: One of the top choices for bees, butterflies, and hoverflies

• Deer and Rabbit Resistant: Aromatic foliage deters most grazers

• Overwintering: In colder areas, mulch around the base or grow in containers for easy overwintering indoors

• Propagation: Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer or softwood cuttings in spring

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.