Red salvias have been in our gardens for a long time, described as early as 1778, and becoming all too common as short stubby salvias took over during the bedding out craze of Victorian parks and gardens. This tall, graceful native species is full of head-turning red flowers held by smoldering dark calyxes, the tubular flowers attracting hummingbirds to the cache of nectar within. Growing quickly when summer arrives, Texas sage tolerates humidity and heat, and the many spires of flowers are excellent cut flowers.