Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips' – Planting & Care Guide

About Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips'

Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips', commonly known as Hot Lips Sage, is a stunning, long-flowering semi-evergreen shrub renowned for its distinctive two-tone flowers. The blooms typically feature bright white petals tipped with vibrant scarlet-red, although flower colour can vary with temperature, producing all-red, all-white or the iconic red-and-white combination throughout the season.

Flowering continuously from late spring until the first frosts, 'Hot Lips' provides exceptional colour for many months. Growing to approximately 80–100cm tall with a spread of 80–100cm, it forms a bushy, rounded plant with small, aromatic green leaves that release a pleasant fragrance when brushed. The nectar-rich flowers are a magnet for bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects.

Planting Guide

• Plant in full sun for the best flowering display.
• Will tolerate light partial shade.
• Choose a warm, sheltered position protected from cold winds.
• Prefers fertile, well-drained soil.
• Suitable for sandy, chalky and loam soils.
• Improve heavy clay soils by incorporating horticultural grit and organic matter.
• Dig a planting hole twice the width of the root ball and the same depth.
• Position the plant with the root ball level with the surrounding soil.
• Backfill with soil, firm gently and water thoroughly.
• Apply a light mulch around the base, keeping it away from the stems.
• Space plants approximately 80–100cm apart.

Care & Maintenance

Salvia 'Hot Lips' is easy to grow and rewards minimal care with months of flowers.

• Water regularly during the first growing season.
• Once established, water during prolonged dry spells.
• Avoid waterlogging, particularly during winter.
• Feed in spring with a balanced slow-release fertiliser.
• Apply a high-potash liquid feed every few weeks during the flowering season to encourage continuous blooms.
• Remove weeds regularly while plants establish.
• Apply a light mulch in spring to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Protect young plants during severe winter weather in colder areas.

Pruning

Regular pruning helps maintain a compact shape and encourages repeat flowering.

• Deadhead faded flowers to prolong the flowering season.
• Lightly trim after each flush of flowers if required.
• Cut back by around one-third in early spring once new growth begins.
• Remove any dead, damaged or frost-affected stems.
• Avoid hard pruning in autumn, as the top growth helps protect the plant during winter.

Growing Conditions

• Botanical Name: Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips'
• Common Name: Hot Lips Sage
• Plant Type: Semi-evergreen shrub
• Mature Height: 80–100cm
• Spread: 80–100cm
• Flower Colour: Red and white (may also produce all-red or all-white flowers depending on temperature)
• Flowering Period: May to October
• Foliage: Small, aromatic mid-green leaves
• Growth Rate: Fast
• Hardiness: Hardy throughout most of Ireland and the UK in well-drained soil; provide protection during prolonged severe frost.

Ideal Uses in the Garden

Salvia 'Hot Lips' is perfect for adding long-lasting colour and attracting wildlife.

• Cottage gardens
• Mixed perennial borders
• Pollinator-friendly gardens
• Wildlife gardens
• Mediterranean-style gardens
• Gravel gardens
• Patio containers
• Courtyard gardens
• Coastal gardens
• Informal hedging

It combines beautifully with Lavender, Nepeta, Verbena bonariensis, Echinacea, Rudbeckia, Gaura, Agapanthus and ornamental grasses.

Seasonal Interest

• Aromatic foliage provides interest from spring onwards.
• Distinctive red and white flowers appear from late spring.
• Continuous flowering lasts until the first frosts.
• Blooms attract bees, butterflies and other beneficial pollinating insects.
• Semi-evergreen foliage provides structure through mild winters.
• Flower colour may change throughout the season depending on weather conditions.

Common Problems

Salvia 'Hot Lips' is generally healthy and easy to grow.

• Poor drainage can lead to root rot, especially during winter.
• Young shoots may occasionally be damaged by slugs or snails.
• Aphids may appear on tender new growth.
• Severe frosts can damage top growth, but plants usually recover well in spring.
• Plant in a sunny, well-drained position and avoid excessive winter moisture for the healthiest growth.

With its unique red and white flowers, aromatic foliage and exceptionally long flowering season, Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips' is one of the most rewarding shrubs for Irish gardens. Easy to grow and highly attractive to pollinators, it provides vibrant colour from late spring until autumn, making it an excellent choice for borders, containers, gravel gardens and wildlife-friendly planting schemes

• Size
  2 Litre

Kindly be aware when mix/ mixed/ assorted/ varieties is mention you will receive ONLY ONE plant/ item, which will be selected for delivery, photos may show different varieties available - which may also vary 

 
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