Salvia microphylla
Garden Plant Information

Salvia microphylla

 

Salvia microphylla close up

 

Name

Salvia microphylla (also called baby sage and blackcurrant sage)

Genus  

Salvia

Species

microphylla

Cultivar/variety

 

General description

Herbaceous perennial in the UK though grown as a small shrub in its native South America. Has a long season of bright pink flowers. Very attractive to bees.

Season of interest

Flowers from summer to first frosts.

Key horticultural features

  1. Habit - tends to be straggling and leggy if not kept pruned. H: 1m S: 1m

  2. Stems - square sectioned, greenish brown, sometimes with a hint of purple.

  3. Leaves - mid-green, ovate, serrated. Crushed leaves have a scent of black currant (hence the common name, black currant sage).

  4. Flowers -  whorls of hooded, bright pink flowers are borne from summer to the first frosts.

Cultural details

Aspect

Full sun.

Soil

Light and well drained.

Hardiness

Survives winter down to about -10, but with damage. Take cuttings in late summer, or in autumn, if you're unsure of them surviving.

Maintenance

Protect from cold winter weather or take cuttings in summer to plant out the following spring. Young growth may be attacked by slugs and snails, and aphids can also be a problem. White fly is a problem for plants grown under glass.

Propagation

Softwood cuttings in spring or semi-ripe cuttings during summer and autumn.

 

 

 

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Published: 21-10-2005

Updated:   16-11-2007