Salvia microphylla
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Salvia grahamii
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAL-vee-ah my-kro-FIL-uh
- Description
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Little Leaf Sage is an evergreen shrub in the mint family found in the wild in southeastern Arizona and the mountains of eastern, western, and southern Mexico. It is a very complex species which easily hybridizes, resulting in numerous hybrids and cultivars brought into horticulture since the 1990s. This plant is drought and heat tolerant and slightly salt tolerant.
The flowers occur on spikes in shades of pink, red and white in spring with repeat blooming to fall. The leaves are aromatic and can be used in making teas. Use this plant in the perennial border, native/pollinator garden or for xeriscaping.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Flower Child
Candy pink flowers - Hot Lips
Bi-color red and white, dependent on temperature - San Carlos Festival
Red-violet flowers on compact plants
- Flower Child
- Flower Child, Hot Lips, San Carlos Festival
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Flower Child
Candy pink flowers - Hot Lips
Bi-color red and white, dependent on temperature - San Carlos Festival
Red-violet flowers on compact plants
- Flower Child
- Flower Child, Hot Lips, San Carlos Festival
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Salvia
- Species:
- microphylla
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Fever reducer, treatment for coughs
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Arizona to Guatemala
- Distribution:
- Southern US, Central America
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
- Edibility:
- Leaves have a scent of blackcurrant and can be used fresh or dried as a flavoring in an herbal tea,
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Dense
- Mounding
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a, 10b, 10a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Green, almost triangular, toothed edges, edible, aromatic.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- Yes
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Humidity
- Salt
