Botanical Name: Salvia farinacea ‘Mirage™ Cherry Red’ Common Name: Red Salvia, Mealycup Sage Hardiness Zone: Grown as an Annual in Most Climates (Perennial in USDA Zones 8–11) Size: 12–18" Tall × 12–16" Spread Growth Habit: Compact, Upright, Well-Branched Habit Sunlight: Full Sun Soil: Well-Drained Soil; Tolerates Average to Poor Soils Water Needs: Low to Moderate; Drought Tolerant Once Established Bloom Season: Late Spring through Frost Fertilizer: Light Feeding in Spring; Avoid Excess Nitrogen Features: Bright Cherry-Red Flower Spikes, Compact Size, Heat Tolerant, Pollinator Friendly Uses: Borders, Containers, Mass Plantings, Pollinator Gardens

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More About Salvia ‘Mirage™ Cherry Red’

Salvia ‘Mirage™ Cherry Red’ delivers bold, clear red flower spikes on a compact, tidy plant that fits easily into modern garden designs. The blooms rise cleanly above the foliage, providing strong color contrast and long-lasting visual impact from late spring through fall. The Mirage™ series was developed for uniform growth, early flowering, and excellent heat tolerance, making this variety especially reliable in sunny, high-heat conditions where many annuals struggle.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, ‘Mirage™ Cherry Red’ has been a consistent, low-maintenance performer, flowering early and continuing steadily without flopping or excessive stretching. It maintains a neat habit without pinching and responds well to regular light feeding. We especially appreciate its versatility. The compact size makes it ideal for borders, containers, and mass plantings where controlled growth and dependable color are essential.

Mirage™ Cherry Red vs. Other Varieties

Salvia ‘Mirage™ Cherry Red’ brings saturated red color into a compact, tightly controlled plant, delivering impact without bulk. Within the Mirage™ Series, it maintains the same neat habit as Mirage™ Blue, but its warmer tone gives it more visual punch in sunny settings.  In garden design, Mirage™ Cherry Red functions as a precision tool rather than a statement plant. It pairs naturally with cooler or neutral companions such as Lyrical™ White, where the contrast feels intentional instead of overpowering.

Unlike taller salvias such as Wendy’s Wish or Black & Blue, it stays firmly in the foreground, where its color reads clearly at eye level, offering similar intensity at a much smaller scale. Plants generally remain 12–16 inches tall, keeping them easy to place in both beds and containers.  Pollinator interest is solid—especially from bees—but its strength lies more in color discipline than wildlife spectacle. For gardeners who want red Salvia without height, sprawl, or unpredictability, Mirage™ Cherry Red fills the role cleanly.