May be planted in full sun along coastal California with a thick mulch and regular water. Otherwise, morning to late afternoon sun or filtered light will work well. Forsythia sage prefers a warm climate, regular irrigation and a rich humus soil. Tolerant of less water, however, plants will be shorter and have less vigor. Prune hard after frost and heavily mulch in colder climates. It is cold hardy to 20 degrees, possibly lower if well established. Perfect choice for use in cut flower arrangements and it is a hummingbird magnet in the garden.

Salvia madrensis comes from 4000 to 5000 feet in the Sierra Madre Oriental in Mexico in the Mexican states of Sinaloa and Durango. The name Salvia comes from the Latin name used by Pliny for the plant and comes from the Latin word 'salvere' meaning "to save" in reference to the long-believed healing properties of several Sage species and the specific epithet refers to its mountainous origin. This selection from a Raleigh, North Carolina garden was selected and cleverly named by Tony Avent and introduced at his Plant Delights Nursery in 2002. We grew this fun plant from 2005 until 2010. 

This information about Salvia madrensis 'Red Neck Girl' displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.