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Salvia microphylla
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

baby sage

An evergreen shrub with light green, aromatic, ovate leaves and deep red flowers in terminal racemes in late summer and autumn

Synonyms
Salvia macellaria misapplied
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Red Green
Autumn Red Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical 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

Correct

Plant range
Mexico

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in light, moist but well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from cold winds; may need protection from excessive winter wet

Propagation

Propagate by basal or softwood cuttings in spring or early summer or semi-ripe cuttings late summer or autumn with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Pruning group 9, cut back spent flowers to prolong flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails, capsid bug, leafhoppers and rosemary beetle

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots

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