Salvia coccinea ‘Summer Jewel Lavender’ won an All-America Selections award in 2016 which is bestowed upon plants that perform well all over North America. I grew some of these plants in 2017 but then forgot about them as a middle-of-the-border option for my annual flower beds. This past winter I purchased some seeds and started the plants in my basement about 10 weeks before our average last frost date.
‘Summer Jewel Lavender’ grows 14-20 inches tall with what is described as “dusty lavender” blooms.
I like growing coccinea salvias (like this one and ‘Snow Nymph’) because they are no-fuss plants that aren’t bothered by insects, and they have few disease issues. They are also hummingbird magnets.
If you deadhead the spent blooms, they’ll continue to bloom until frost. The plants are also deer resistant and drought tolerant. They prefer full sun (except in hot climates where they appreciate some afternoon shade) but they will also thrive in part-sun.
‘Summer Jewel Lavender’ can be grown as a perennial in Zones 8-10 but it’s considered an annual in cooler growing zones.