Mirage Cherry Red Autumn Sage: A Standout Flowering Perennial

With its vibrant cherry red blooms and compact form, Mirage Cherry Red Autumn Sage is one of the most popular varieties of this classic flowering perennial. In this article, we’ll explore why this salvia is so widely admired by gardeners across the country.

Overview

Mirage Cherry Red Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii ‘Balmircher’) delivers stunning color from late spring through fall The bright red flowers pop against the backdrop of slender green foliage Developed by leading breeder Ball Horticultural as part of the Mirage series, this improved selection offers bloom power and heat tolerance.

Like other autumn sage varieties, Mirage Cherry Red is a tough, low-maintenance plant that thrives in full sun and warm climates. A native perennial in many southern states, it acts as an annual in colder zones but can be overwintered indoors. Mirage Cherry Red reaches just 12-14 inches tall and wide, making it ideal for containers as well as garden beds and borders.

Let’s look more closely at what makes this little powerhouse so special:

Notable Features

Prolific Bloom Season

Few plants can match the flower production of Mirage Cherry Red Autumn Sage. It begins pumping out blooms in late spring or early summer and continues right up until frost, often into November or December. The blossoms appear on tall, airy racemes held above the foliage. Deadheading spent flowers promotes new buds.

Vibrant Red Color

The rich, saturated red flowers are the star of the show. Ranging from cherry to crimson, they have an eye-catching intensity and subtly iridescent sheen Color stays true all season long with no fading. The dark calyxes provide nice contrast

Fragrant Blooms

In addition to visual appeal, the flowers release a lovely, light fragrance. It’s not overpowering, but adds to the plant’s charm when smelled up close Lightly brush the blossoms and enjoy their sweet perfume

Heat and Drought Tolerance

Mirage Cherry Red thrives in hot, dry conditions where few other plants survive. It shrugs off summer heat up to 95°F and readily bounces back from drought once watered. These traits make it an excellent choice for xeriscaping.

Long Bloom Period

You’ll get up to 6 months of continuous color. Blooms begin up to a month earlier than traditional autumn sage varieties and last until killing frost. Deadheading prolongs bloom time even further.

Deer and Pest Resistance

Deer and rabbits ignore this plant, making it ideal where these pests are a problem. It’s also resistant to common diseases and withstands heat and humidity without mildew or leaf spot.

Evergreen Foliage

The small, slender leaves keep their green color year round in warm climates, providing foliage through winter. Where not hardy, it can be overwintered as a houseplant.

This winning combination of traits makes Mirage Cherry Red a standout performer suited to nearly any garden setting!

Planting and Care

Successfully growing Mirage Cherry Red Autumn Sage is simple if you meet a few basic needs:

Sunlight: Plant in full sun for heaviest flowering; will accept light afternoon shade. Requires at least 6 hours of direct sun daily.

Soil: Average garden soil is fine as long as it drains well. Prefers slightly alkaline pH but adapts to most soils. Intolerant of wet, poorly drained sites.

Water: Drought tolerant once established but grows best with average moisture. Allow soil to dry between waterings. Good drainage is key.

Hardiness: Rated for zones 7-10. Grown as an annual in cooler climates. Can be overwintered indoors in pots.

Fertilizer: Apply balanced flower fertilizer or slow-release granules in spring. Rose food also works well. Avoid high nitrogen formulas.

Pruning: Little required – just trim back any dead growth in late winter to encourage new foliage. Remove spent flower spikes to promote rebloom. Avoid shearing the plant.

Propagation: Easily propagated by stem cuttings in summer or division in spring after bloom cycle. Seeds can also be collected.

Pests and Problems: Deer resistant. Avoid powdery mildew by providing good air circulation. Aphids may appear but are easily controlled with insecticidal soap spray treatments.

With proper siting and care, Mirage Cherry Red Autumn Sage will reward you with vivid color from spring to fall!

Uses in the Landscape

Thanks to its compact size and vibrant blooms, Mirage Cherry Red Autumn Sage fits beautifully into all types of gardens:

Beds and Borders – Its mounding form works nicely along edges or in mixed perennial beds. Combine with ornamental grasses, Russian sage and sedums.

Containers – Looks fantastic in patio pots and planters. Plant alone or with blue or purple companions like verbena, petunias and million bells.

Rock Gardens – Low-growing mirage sage is ideal for the front of rock or alpine gardens. Allow it to drape gracefully over edges.

Xeriscaping – Drought and heat tolerance make it a perfect choice for low-water landscapes and rock gardens.

Butterfly Gardens – The nectar-rich flowers attract hordes of butterflies and hummingbirds all season long.

Cottage Gardens – Its informal, airy look suits cottage gardens. Partner with daisies, coneflowers, catmint and yarrow.

Edging – Use as a low edging plant along walks, curbs and driveway borders. Also effective in parking lot islands.

Groundcover – Space plants 12″ apart for a vibrant flowering groundcover. Best in sunny, well-drained areas.

Because it combines nicely with almost any flower type, feel free to get creative with Mirage Cherry Red in your beds, borders and containers!

Notable Mirage Series Varieties

The Mirage series by Ball Horticultural includes a range of autumn sage varieties featuring improved bloom performance, weather tolerance and compact growth:

• Mirage Orange Autumn Sage – Vibrant orange-red flowers from spring to frost on 12″ plants.

• Mirage Bright Red Autumn Sage – Dense, cherry-red flowers on mounded 10″ plants. Extremely floriferous.

• Mirage Apricot Autumn Sage – Pastel, peachy-orange blooms on 14″ mounds from early summer until first freeze.

• Mirage Purple Autumn Sage – Rich orchid-purple flowers on 14″ plants. Blooms heaviest in summer but continues into fall.

• Mirage Silver Autumn Sage – Silvery foliage with pale purple flowers. Grows 12″ tall and wide.

All share excellent heat and drought tolerance along with the beautifully floriferous habit that makes Mirage autumn sages top performers. Visit your local garden center to select your favorites from this outstanding plant series.

Common Questions

If you are considering adding Mirage Cherry Red Autumn Sage to your landscape, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

How big does Mirage Cherry Red Autumn Sage get? It reaches 12-14 inches tall and wide. Stays compact without getting leggy or floppy.

What zones is it hardy in? Rated for zones 7-10. Grown as an annual elsewhere or overwintered indoors.

Does it bloom the first year? Yes, it will bloom starting its first summer if planted in spring after all chance of frost.

Does it come back every year? In zones 7-10, it will return as a reliable perennial. Will self-seed readily. Dies back elsewhere but can be grown as an annual.

How much sun does it need? Full sun is best, but will accept some afternoon shade. Requires a minimum of 6 hours direct sun per day.

How often does it bloom? Continuously from late spring until fall frost, especially if spent flower spikes are promptly deadheaded.

What soil conditions does Mirage Cherry Red Autumn Sage prefer? Average garden soils with good drainage. Tolerates dry and slightly alkaline soils. Avoid constantly wet sites.

How do I overwinter it indoors? Dig up plants and repot into containers before first frost. Keep pots in a sunny window and reduce watering until spring.

Is Mirage Cherry Red Autumn Sage deer resistant? Yes, deer and rabbits ignore this plant, making it ideal for gardens with these pests.

Let us know if you have any other questions about growing this outstanding plant!

Where to Buy Mirage Cherry Red Autumn Sage

Mirage Cherry Red Autumn Sage is carried by garden centers and nurseries across the United States. Local sources include:

• Marcum’s Nursery – Goldsby, OK – Ships to 48 states
• The Perennial Farm – Glen Arm, MD – Retail nursery
• **Brushwood Nur