Salvia microphylla 'Wild Watermelon'
baby sage 'Wild Watermelon'
A bushy, evergreen shrub, to 1m tall, with deeply-veined, aromatic leaves. Bright magenta-pink flowers, with a small white throat, are borne in summer and autumn on slightly arching stems
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink | Green | ||
| Autumn | Pink | Green | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Salvia can be annuals, biennials, herbaceous or evergreen perennials, or shrubs. They have paired, simple or pinnately lobed, often aromatic leaves and 2-lipped flowers in whorls, forming simple or branched spikes or racemes
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in light, moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Needs a sheltered position, but usually overwinters if given full sun and good drainage. Drought tolerant
Propagation
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pruning group 9 in spring, cut back spent flower spikes to prolong flowering
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs, snails, rosemary beetle and leafhoppers
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.