Hummersteve, the hummers will love them and love you for putting them out! That is one of the very few annuals that I plant each year because the hummers love them so much! I buy them by the flat and plant my window boxes full of them.

texaswildflower

Thanks for your vote of confidence on these. I couldnt resist these bright red firecrackers so theres no way the hummers can. Although I was told that the flowers on these wont last long.

For that cheap, it's hard to go wrong. At the risk of being a party pooper, I've heard that Salvia splendens is not as good as some of the other salvias like Salvia coccinea or guaranitica, etc.

Last year, though, in the middle of the summer, I saw some Salvia splendens on sale for ridiculously cheap. They were left over and a little mangy. I nursed them back to health and kept them in pots. The flowers were bicolored white and pink and the hummingbirds did use them, or at least explored them. There was definitely nectar inside, unlike some hybrids. Your bright red ones may work out for you. Let us know. Hummingbirds can be unpredictable, and I'm convinced that certain flowers may do well for some, and yet not for others. My Salvia splendens worked at least a little, and they weren't even bright red like yours.

Meanwhile, keep your eyes open for Salvia coccinea. I've gotten it at places like Lowe's or Home Depot for cheaper than the other perennial Salvias. It won't be as cheap as the Salvia splendens 6-pack, but it shouldn't be too bad. The hummers definitely like those, and last year I definitely saw repeat visits coming back for more.

It's a little late for this year, but if you're trying to save money, next year why not grow some Salvia coccinea from seed? It is easy to grow. I've got a bunch of plants now that are maybe 4" tall that I started in March. They're very easy.

Thanks for the picture. Now TAHT is red!

At the end of the year, last summer, I saw hummers even going into my neighbors pots of Marigolds! It was fascinating to watch. (They seemed to be the 'last flowers to go' ... and the hummers were taking what was available.) Or, maybe, as explained in another post, about "thistle seed" .. MAYBE there were gnats around them????

Anyway, thanks for the beautiful photo!!!

elke

Yes I guess you were referring to me about the knats , Im the one who suggested it in that post.

Kristin---guess I didnt tell you I grew two flats from seed full of coccinia this year. In growing them under floresent lights they seem very tender in trying to harden them off , their leaved go limp really quick outside. I think Im going to put those salvia reds in a window box elevated. Yes I too have been told the splendens flowers may not last but for $1.79 I dont care. As far hummers being picky yeah, depends on whats available. Last year they were checking out my tomato blooms , in fact they really loved to play and hide in the one huge tomato plant I had last year. Before the plant got big I had one male who would sit and preen himself on the cage. He actually thought I put it there for him.

I can send you all lots of seeds for the Scarlet Sage, a/k/a Texas Sage Salvia coccinea. I even have some of the pink and white. They grow like weeds down here in south Texas and are perennials that bloom all year round. If you want some seeds, just let me know.

Hummersteve, that's good to hear you have all those Salvia coccinea. In my limited experience from last year, the hummingbirds liked them.

This year, my seedlings were grown in a sunny window, and now I'm putting them outside from noon until sunset, and they have adjusted very well. I wonder if fluorescent grown plants have more trouble coping with real sunshine. On the other hand, if that dreary cold stuff had gone on much longer, I would have lost all of my plants and wished I'd had fluorescents. They're a bit pale, and some of them got leggy, so I had to repot them, burying the long stems. All in all, I'm relieved they made it, and expect they will start to grow nicely as they spend more and more time outdoors.

Guys I forgot to tell you I also have some agastache plants Ive grown from seed although they seem leggy and Im wondering if I may need to cut those back some. Anyway those are called shades of orange, apricot sprite, sunset hyssop. My plants are used to the lowlight floresent so I will just have to harden them gradually untill they are ready.

I have never had any luck with any of the salvia splendens where my hummers are concerned but I do plant some just for early spring color in years like this one where I will be planting out my coccinea later.

Penny

My son dumped my coccinea trays yesterday and I was frantically trying to save little seedlings. I think I may just sprinkle the soil with the seedlings where I may want them and see if they'll take. Otherwise, it's a wash.

I know these things like a lot of sun, but I also found lately that they like a lot of water also. Since Ive had them outside in window box type thing, it looked like the were starting to go limp maybe dying, but then comes all this rain, it been raining almost constantly the last two days, and now they are standing tall again. I had watered them but just misted, I guess they need more water than that.

I hoping the hummers will be attracted to some of the salvia and other perennials I planted last year. But I'm adding this to say that I was outside staring at the yard wearing a bright red windbreaker and a hummer came right up to me twice, attracted by the color (I assume). I was standing quite still, so he must have thought I was the world's biggest brightest flower. LOL!