Salvia ‘Hot Lips’ (Baby Sage)

Salvia ‘Hot Lips’: Hot Lips Sage

Salvia ‘Hot Lips’, commonly known as Baby Sage, is a striking and versatile shrub renowned for its unique two-tone flowers. This popular hybrid of Salvia microphylla is loved by gardeners for its eye-catching blooms, aromatic foliage, and adaptability to a range of growing conditions. Perfect for pollinator gardens, cottage landscapes, and Mediterranean-style designs, ‘Hot Lips’ adds charm and ecological value to any space.

Salvia belongs to the Lamiaceae family, which includes other aromatic plants like rosemary, basil, and lavender. With its long blooming period and ability to thrive in dry, sunny environments, Salvia ‘Hot Lips’ is a favorite among gardeners worldwide. What is Salvia? Understanding its role in gardening and beyond

Description

Hot Lips Sage is a compact, evergreen shrub with a dense, bushy habit and vibrant, bicolored flowers. Its unique blooms, typically red and white, can change depending on the temperature, creating fascinating color variations throughout the season. The flowers are tubular and arranged in loose clusters, attracting pollinators.
The shrub’s dark green, aromatic leaves add an additional sensory element, releasing a pleasant herbal fragrance when crushed. ‘Hot Lips’ Sage sways gracefully in the breeze, adding movement and texture to garden designs.

Native Habitat

Baby Sage is native to southeastern Arizona and the mountains of eastern, western, and southern Mexico. It naturally grows in open woodlands, rocky slopes, and scrublands, thriving in well-drained, sunny environments. Its ability to adapt to diverse conditions has made it a popular choice in gardens worldwide.

Plant Type and Habit

Hot Lips Sage is a bushy shrub, evergreen if not cut back by frost, with a mounding habit. It is ideal for mixed borders, cottage gardens, and pollinator-friendly landscapes.

Plant Size

Salvia ‘Hot Lips’ typically grows 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) tall and wide, forming a neat, rounded shape. Its compact size makes it suitable for small gardens or container gardening.

Flowers

The two-toned flowers of ‘Hot Lips’ are its defining feature. Each tubular bloom displays a striking combination of vibrant red and crisp white, with the coloration often influenced by temperature and growing conditions. Borne in loose terminal racemes, the blossoms start as lipstick red in early summer, transition to vivid red and white by mid to late summer, and may turn completely white as the days shorten. These highly attractive flower stalks add significant aesthetic appeal to beds and borders.

Hot Lips Sage blooms profusely from late spring to fall, often continuing until the first frost. Deadheading spent flowers will encourage continued blooming and maintain a tidy appearance.

Foliage

The small, ovate, aromatic leaves are mid-green and slightly textured, with a serrated edge. They emit a pleasant herbal fragrance when touched or crushed, adding to the plant’s appeal in sensory gardens.

Hardiness

Salvia ‘Hot Lips’ is hardy in USDA Zones 8–10. It tolerates heat and drought, making it an excellent choice for Mediterranean and arid climates. In colder regions, it may die back in winter but regrow in spring.

Award

Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.

Hot Lips Sage Uses

Ornamental Uses

• Perfect for borders, rock gardens, coastal gardens, and cottage-style landscapes.
• Blends well with ornamental grasses and drought-tolerant perennials.
• Works beautifully in container gardens and patio designs.
• Ideal for Mediterranean-inspired gardens and xeriscapes.

Ecological Uses

• Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with its nectar-rich flowers.
• Provides habitat and food for beneficial insects.
• Enhances biodiversity in pollinator-friendly landscapes.

• Salvia: Discover 10 Key Benefits of Growing Sage in Your Garden

Wildlife

‘Hot Lips’ Sage is a favorite among pollinators. Its tubular flowers provide a steady nectar source for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The dense foliage also offers shelter for small insects, enhancing garden biodiversity.

Deer and Rabbit Resistance

The aromatic foliage deters deer, making it a practical choice for gardens where browsing wildlife is a concern.

Drought Tolerance

Once established, Hot Lips Sage is drought-tolerant, requiring minimal watering even in prolonged dry periods. Discover 20 Top Salvia Varieties for a Thriving Xeriscape.

Toxicity

Salvia ‘Hot Lips’ is considered non-toxic to humans and pets, making it a safe choice for family gardens.

Invasiveness

This cultivar is not invasive. While it may self-seed under optimal conditions, it is easy to control and rarely becomes a nuisance.

How to Grow and Care for Hot Lips Sage

Light

Baby Sage thrives in full sun, requiring 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. It can tolerate partial shade, but flowering may be reduced.

Soil

Plant in well-drained soil. It tolerates sandy or rocky soils and thrives in highly organic conditions.

Watering

Water deeply during the first growing season to establish roots. Once established, Baby Sage is drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering.

Fertilization

Salvia microphylla benefits from light fertilization during the growing season. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring to encourage healthy growth and abundant blooms. Avoid over-fertilizing, as excessive nutrients can lead to leggy growth and reduced flowering.

Pruning

Deadhead spent flowers to promote reblooming. In late winter or early spring, cut back by one-third to rejuvenate growth and maintain a compact shape.

Propagation

Cuttings

• Take 4–6-inch cuttings from healthy, non-flowering stems in late spring or summer.
• Root in moist, well-draining soil.

Division

• Divide mature clumps in early spring or fall, ensuring each division has healthy roots and stems.

Common Problems

• Pests: Baby Sage is relatively pest-resistant but may occasionally attract aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, or whiteflies. These typically appear in stressed plants or during hot, dry periods. Control infestations with insecticidal soap, neem oil, or strong water sprays.
• Diseases: Common issues include powdery mildew, which occurs in humid conditions with poor airflow, and root rot, caused by overwatering or poorly drained soil. Leaf spot and rust can also occur. Proper spacing, well-drained soil, and avoiding overhead watering can prevent these problems.