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'''''Salvia coccinea''''', commonly known as '''Texas sage''', '''scarlet sage''', '''tropical sage''', or '''blood sage''', is a species of [[flowering plant]] in the [[Mentha|mint]] family, [[Lamiaceae]]. It is native to the [[Southeastern United States]], [[Mexico]], [[Central America]], the [[Caribbean]], and northern [[Southern America]] ([[Colombia]], [[Peru]], and [[Brazil]]), but is widely cultivated as an [[Ornamental plant|ornamental]].<ref name="GRIN"/> Its [[specific name]], coccinea, means "scarlet-dyed" in [[Latin]], referring to its [[flower]]s.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=agbm4S1eCQsC& |first=Joel Ellis |last=Holloway |coauthors=Amanda Neill |title=A Dictionary of Common Wildflowers of Texas & the Southern Great Plains |publisher=TCU Press |year=2005 |isbn=9780875653099 |page=135}}</ref> They are tubular, bright red, about {{convert|1.25|in|cm|abbr=on}} long<ref>{{cite book |first=Gil |last=Nelson |title=East Gulf Coastal Plain Wildflowers |publisher=Globe Pequot |year=2005 |isbn=9780762727186 |page=212}}</ref> and [[Pollination|pollinated]] by [[hummingbird]]s and [[Butterfly|butterflies]].<ref name="Floridata">{{cite web |url=http://www.floridata.com/ref/S/salv_coc.cfm |title=#507 ''Salvia coccinea'' |publisher=Floridata |accessdate=2010-01-29}}</ref>

'''''Salvia coccinea''''', commonly known as '''Texas sage''', '''scarlet sage''', '''tropical sage''', or '''blood sage''', is a species of [[flowering plant]] in the [[Mentha|mint]] family, [[Lamiaceae]]. It is native to the [[Southeastern United States]], [[Mexico]], [[Central America]], the [[Caribbean]], and northern [[Southern America]] ([[Colombia]], [[Peru]], and [[Brazil]]), but is widely cultivated as an [[Ornamental plant|ornamental]].<ref name="GRIN"/> Its [[specific name]], coccinea, means "scarlet-dyed" in [[Latin]], referring to its [[flower]]s.<ref>A Dictionary of Common Wildflowers of Texas & the Southern Great Plains isbn 9780875653099</ref> They are tubular, bright red, about {{convert|1.25|in|cm|abbr=on}} long<ref>East Gulf Coastal Plain Wildflowers isbn 9780762727186}}</ref> and [[Pollination|pollinated]] by [[hummingbird]]s and [[Butterfly|butterflies]].<ref name="Floridata">http://www.floridata.com/ref/S/salv_coc.cfm</ref>

In the garden, the species is considered frost-tender and usually grown as an [[Annual plant|annual]].  In frost-free climates, flowers may be produced as early as February and continue through December.  In other areas, flowering begins as days lengthen and continue until first frost in fall.  While considered frost tender, light freezes will merely kill foliage, it takes a freeze below 20 degrees F. to kill them roots and all.

In the garden, the species is considered frost-tender and usually grown as an [[Annual plant|annual]].  In frost-free climates, flowers may be produced as early as February and continue through December.  In other areas, flowering begins as days lengthen and continue until first frost in fall.  While considered frost tender, light freezes will merely kill foliage, it takes a freeze below 20 degrees F. to kill them roots and all.