Hot Lips Sage
Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips'
Summary
Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips' is truly a plant worthy of the All-Stars name. It bloomed from March to December with really heavy bloom for the four months June through September. The best flowering and foliage appearance were in the 40 to 60% of ETo range, with only marginally higher relative growth on the 60% treatment.
Hot Lips was mostly unaffected by disease symptoms and was insect pest free. There was a strong and unpredictable tendency for the red “lips” appearance of flowers to revert to either all red or all white, often on the same shrub. This seems to be a common phenomenon where this plant has been seen growing in other areas as well.
![Salvia microphylla ‘Hot Lips’ on 20% ET0 in May 2013. Photo: SK Reid. Salvia microphylla ‘Hot Lips’ on 20% ET0 in May 2013. Photo: SK Reid.](http://ucanr.edu/sites/UCLPIT/files/338626display.jpg)
![Salvia microphylla ‘Hot Lips’ on 20% ET0 in September 2013. Photo: SK Reid. Salvia microphylla ‘Hot Lips’ on 20% ET0 in September 2013. Photo: SK Reid.](http://ucanr.edu/sites/UCLPIT/files/338625display.jpg)
Basic Info
Submitted by: | UC Davis Arboretum |
Trial Exposure: | Sun |
Year evaluated: | 2013 |
Height & Width
(after 2 years):
|
30" x 61" - UC Davis
|
Reported Height & Width
(at maturity):
|
3' x 3' |
WUCOLS plant type: | S A |
Water Needs & WUCOLS Region: |
Medium - Region 2
|
Mean Overall
Appearance rating:
(1-5 Scale, 5 is highest)
|
4.0 - UC Davis
|
Flowering Months
|
March-December - UC Davis
|
Growth and Quality Data
Click Here for Complete Data Set
![Salvia microphylla ‘Hot Lips’ in bloom in August 2013 on 40% ET0. Photo: SK Reid. Salvia microphylla ‘Hot Lips’ in bloom in August 2013 on 40% ET0. Photo: SK Reid.](http://ucanr.edu/sites/UCLPIT/files/338628display.jpg)
![Salvia microphylla ‘Hot Lips’ in bloom in October 2013 on 40% ET0. Photo: SK Reid. Salvia microphylla ‘Hot Lips’ in bloom in October 2013 on 40% ET0. Photo: SK Reid.](http://ucanr.edu/sites/UCLPIT/files/338627display.jpg)