SALVIA AMETHYST LIPS

Overview and Features

Salvia microphylla ‘Amethyst Lips’ is a vibrant and eye-catching woody perennial, celebrated for its two-tone flowers and aromatic foliage. Closely related to the popular ‘Hot Lips’, this variety produces blooms with striking amethyst-purple and white bicolour petals, which often vary depending on temperature and light conditions—sometimes appearing fully purple, fully white, or a mix of both.

This plant has a bushy, upright growth habit with small, mint-scented green leaves and a long flowering season that lasts from late spring to the first frosts. It is an excellent performer in borders, containers, cottage-style gardens, and wildlife-friendly spaces, offering both ornamental beauty and pollinator value.

Reaching up to 90 cm in height and about 60–70 cm in spread, 'Amethyst Lips' makes a bold, colourful addition to sunny areas in the garden.

• Bicolour flowers in amethyst purple and white, with natural variation

• Long flowering season: May to October

• Aromatic green foliage and upright form

• Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

• Grows to 90 cm tall and 70 cm wide

Growing Conditions and Maintenance

Salvia ‘Amethyst Lips’ is easy to care for, drought-tolerant once established, and well-suited to a range of soil types as long as drainage is good.

• Light Requirements:

  • Requires full sun for best flowering and foliage density

  • Can tolerate light partial shade, though may produce fewer blooms

• Soil Preferences:

  • Prefers well-drained soil, including sandy or loamy types

  • Tolerates average to poor soils, but not heavy or waterlogged areas

• Watering:

  • Water regularly during the first growing season

  • Once established, it is drought-tolerant

  • In containers, water consistently during hot weather

• Feeding:

  • Feed lightly in spring with a general-purpose fertiliser

  • Avoid overfeeding, which can encourage leafy growth over flowers

• Pruning and Maintenance:

  • Trim back by one-third in early spring to encourage fresh, compact growth

  • Deadhead spent flowers to extend blooming period

  • A light trim in midsummer can help shape and rejuvenate the plant

Seasonal Interest and Garden Uses

‘Amethyst Lips’ is an excellent garden performer, providing bold colour and seasonal interest over many months. It is also very effective in pollinator gardens and informal borders.

• Flowering Time:

  • Blooms continuously from late spring until autumn

  • Colour variation increases with seasonal shifts in temperature

• Winter Care:

  • Hardy to around -5°C (RHS H4)

  • In colder areas, protect the base with mulch in late autumn

  • Delay pruning until spring to protect stems from frost damage

• Garden Applications:

  • Ideal for sunny borders, Mediterranean gardens, and mixed perennial beds

  • Works well in terracotta pots or decorative planters

  • Blends beautifully in cottage gardens or modern designs

• Companion Plants:

  • Pairs well with Nepeta, Gaura, Lavender, Verbena bonariensis, and Sedum

  • Contrasts attractively with silver-leaved plants like Stachys or Artemisia

• Pest and Disease Resistance:

  • Generally pest-free and disease-resistant

  • Aromatic foliage is unpalatable to slugs, snails, and rabbits

• Size
  3 lt

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.