The Mirage Cherry Red Autumn Sage is a spectacular flowering shrub gaining popularity with gardeners for its vibrant color and carefree nature. This sage offers non-stop cherry red blooms from spring through fall, thriving in heat and attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. Its compact form and self-branching habit make it an exceptional low-maintenance addition to gardens and landscapes.
Autumn sage refers to any of the flowering sage plants in the Salvia greggii species, native to Texas and Northern Mexico. They are known for their tolerance of heat, drought, and sandy soils. With the right conditions, autumn sages bloom vigorously from spring until frost.
The Mirage series developed by Darwin Perennials features improved garden performance. Bred for well-branched habits, continuous flowering, and vivid flower colors, the Mirage autumn sages flower longer with less maintenance compared to other varieties.
Mirage Cherry Red’s Vibrant Red Blooms
The Mirage Cherry Red autumn sage dazzles with its rich, cherry red flowers blooming nonstop from spring through fall. The 1-inch red blooms appear in clusters along its arching stems creating a carpet of saturated color in the garden.
While most salvias only bloom in late spring and summer, Mirage Cherry Red flowers vigorously right up until frost. In warm climates, it may bloom year-round. The blooms are bright enough to make an impact from a distance, especially en masse.
Attracting Hummingbirds and Butterflies
A favorite of hummingbirds, the tubular red blooms of Mirage Cherry Red offer an excellent nectar source. Its long bloom season provides food for hummingbirds from spring migration through fall departure. Butterflies are also attracted to the bright red flowers.
Incorporating salvias like Mirage Cherry Red into a garden design is an easy way to invite more pollinators. Their nectar-rich, red blooms are magnets for these beneficial insects.
Compact Growth Habit
Unlike some salvias which become rangy and open, Mirage Cherry Red has a compact, mounded form reaching 1-2 feet tall and wide. Its stems remain strong and self-branching instead of requiring pinching.
This tidy, dense shape takes up little space in the garden. It works well in containers, along borders, and in mass plantings. The compact growth reduces the need for pruning to keep it looking tidy. No deadheading is required to encourage continuous blooms.
Thriving in Heat and Full Sun
Hailing from Texas, autumn sages relish heat and full sun. Mirage Cherry Red is no exception, thriving in hot, sunny conditions where other flowers fade and struggle.
Provide full sun exposures and well-drained soil for the best performance. Avoid overly rich soil which can lead to floppy growth. Heat and drought tolerance make it an ideal choice for xeriscapes and low-water gardens.
In northern climates, grow Mirage Cherry Red in full sun and provide good drainage over winter. Mulch to insulate roots. It may dieback but often regrows in spring. In warm regions, it may persist year-round.
Simple, Low-Maintenance Care
Autumn sages are one of the most low-maintenance flowering shrubs for gardens and landscapes. Mirage Cherry Red continues this tradition with extra vigor, bloom, and tidiness.
Once established, water occasionally during drought. Prune lightly before new growth begins in spring to shape and remove any dead stems. Mirage Cherry Red is self-cleaning and doesn’t require deadheading.
It has no serious pest or disease problems. Watch for whiteflies and thrips during hot, dry weather. Avoid overwatering which can lead to root rot in winter. Hardy to zone 7, it may die back after harsh winters but reshoot in spring.
Uses in Gardens and Landscapes
The vibrant flower color, compact habit, and carefree nature of Mirage Cherry Red make it versatile in gardens and landscapes:
- Mass in borders and beds for bold color impact. Allows easy maintenance.
- Mix with yellow, blue, and purple flowers for dynamic contrast.
- Use in xeriscapes, rock gardens, cottage gardens, and pollinator gardens.
- Grow in containers on patios and decks. Overwinters indoors in cold climates.
- Plant along pathways, borders, and slopes for erosion control.
- Attract hummingbirds by pairing with other tubular flowers.
Availability from Reputable Nurseries
Mirage Cherry Red is patented and only available from licensed growers. Purchase from reputable nurseries to ensure you get the genuine variety. Popular outlets include:
- Little Prince: Offers the salvia in 4.5″ pots ideal for landscapes and garden beds. Ships to many states.
- Darwin Perennials: The breeder sells pre-finished liners to nurseries and growers nationwide.
- Local garden centers: Check for the protected variety name to ensure authenticity. Sold under USPP# 28,527.
The vibrant, carefree nature of Mirage Cherry Red autumn sage makes it a stellar choice for gardens looking to add vibrant, low-maintenance color. A favorite of hummingbirds and butterflies, its cherry red blooms from spring to fall in a compact, tidy form. Look for this variety at reputable nurseries to brighten up your landscape.
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Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG
A Guide About ‘Red Autumn’ Sage (Salvia) with Sarah Smith
FAQ
How do you care for mirage cherry red autumn sage?
Culture: full sun, half sun, average soil with some organic matter, moderatelly fertile to loam. Quite adaptable to soil types of any pH. Hardy to zone 7a, might be succesfully overwintered in drained soils in zone 6/7 with some winter protection (leaves, mulche, covered with bucket or storage box).
How do you care for a mirage plant?
Mirage Burgundy is a heat-tolerant perennial shrub that can be planted in full sun to partial shade. The plant reaches 12 to 14 inches in height and should be planted 14 to 16 inches apart. Plant in well-drained soil and fertilize monthly. Water weekly once established.
How big do red autumn sage get?
SIZE: Moderate growing; reaches 2 to 3 ft. tall, 3 ft. wide.
Where is the best place to plant autumn sage?
Autumn Sage grows best when placed in full sun in the mid-elevation zones of Arizona including Tucson. Place it in light shade in the low elevations. Autumn Sage should be planted in a soil that has good drainage.