Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips'

Sunset

Zones 7-31

Full, Partial

Moderate

Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
Evergreen, Shrubs

SALVIA

All sages have square stems and whorls of two-lipped flowers, either distinctly spaced along flower stalks or so tightly crowded that they look like one dense spike; some species have branched inflorescences. Flower colors range from white and yellow through salmon and pink to scarlet and pure red, from pale lavender to true blue and darkest purple. A few sages have fragrant blossoms. Many have aromatic foliage. Sages attract hummingbirds, bees, butterflies.

Salvia microphylla

Evergreen shrub. From southeastern Arizona through southern Mexico, with many local variant forms. Ranges from at least 2 to 6 ft. high and almost twice as wide.

'Hot Lips'

Upright plant that grows to about 1 1/2 –2 ft. tall, with striking flowers that vary from fire-engine red to white to red-and-white bicolors throughout the growing season.