"Salvia oxyphora is a herbaceous perennial that is endemic to the foothills and lower eastern slopes of the Andes in Bolivia. It is found growing in disturbed rocky slopes above streams in moist subtropical forest at 980 to 7,200 feet elevation. It is widespread from the Peruvian border, in the Andean cordillera, to the Santa Cruz area. The plant apparently needs disturbed ground to become established, as it is not found growing in undisturbed areas. In spite of its wide distribution, distinct populations tend to be very small, typically only one to ten plants. Observed plants, both herbarium specimens and wild plants, apparently do not have seeds, possibly due to loss of its native pollinator. For that reason, the wild populations of the plant are vulnerable, though many nurseries carry the plant as of 2012.

S. oxyphora grows to 3.3 to 4.9 feet high, with lanceolate to ovate leaves that are 2.8 to 8.7 inches long and 1.2 to 2.8 inches wide. The inflorescence consists of terminal bracteate racemes that are approximately 2.8 inches long when young, extending to a 7.9 inches long spike. The corolla is red, 1.2 to 1.6 inches long, with fine hairs that can be sparse to dense. The flowers are pollinated by hummingbirds, similar to most red-flowered Salvia species, thought it differs from other Salvia in that the anthers are within the upper lip of the corolla."

Taken from wikipedia's page at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S...

Salvia oxyphora, also known as Fuzzy Bolivian Sage, has gorgeous bright pink flowers that hummingbirds love.

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This is a beautiful Salvia from Bolivia that hasn't been in cultivation very long. It has showy, hot pink, fuzzy flowers with bright green calyces and bracts. The leaves are attractive, large, glossy and deep green. I got this plant as a small starter plant this spring. I grew it in a container in part sun/part shade and a well draining medium (pine fines/peat/perlite) with frequent waterings. It has bloomed all summer and is still blooming. The hummingbirds like this plant. The only annoying thing about this plant is that the ants find the nectar irresistible. From what I've read, it can take full sun up north but needs more shade as you go south. It is supposed to be easy to grow from cuttings. As far as I know, minimum cold hardiness zone is still uncertain.

My Climate:
USDA Zone 7b
AHS Heat Zone 7/8
Humid

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