Unpack bare roots or rhizomes on arrival and plant them within a week. Until then, keep them somewhere cool and ensure the roots remain slightly moist, never wet.
Out of season
Blowing you a kiss from the heart of your summer borders, you'll find it hard not to be drawn in to admire the luscious looks of Salvia 'Hot Lips'. Floating on plentiful stems, a mass of diminutive flowers are ruby red when they first emerge in midsummer, before turning two-tone scarlet and white, opening up to greet you like sweet smiling red hot lips. Later in summer, the flowers of this littleleaf sage become pure white. With three hot looks in one season, this long flowering summer beauty can keep your attention as it breezes effortlessly through summer.
Salvia 'Hot Lips' is a hardy perennial with a compact, shrubby appearance. The delicate, airy racemes of pretty blooms are borne on a fine, twiggy stems which support themselves and stay upright through the season, whilst also padding out a generous amount of border space. For the most floriferous display choose in a full sun position, but this inviting summer perennial can tolerate light partial shade. Like all sage plants, Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips' is pretty drought resistant, so will be a smart choice for low-maintenance schemes that still need to provide an inviting pop of colour for weeks on end!
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Remove the packaging straight away, check the compost and water thoroughly if dry. Check the plant’s hardiness before placing it outdoors. Plant into a border or permanent container within a month, choosing the position recommended for the variety. Keep the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil, firm gently and water well.
Soak the roots in water for three to six hours immediately before planting. Keep any crown, buds or emerging shoots above the water where possible.
Pot most bare roots into 15–20cm pots filled with peat-free multipurpose compost. Large or depth-sensitive roots, including peonies, are often best planted directly into borders.
Arrange the roots naturally without bending them. Cover the roots completely, positioning the crown and buds at the depth recommended for that particular perennial.
Keep pots in a sheltered outdoor position and water whenever the compost begins to dry. Grow on until roots hold the compost together when lifted from the pot.
Plant into a suitable border or permanent container once well rooted. Add a label and water regularly throughout the first growing season while the perennial establishes.
- Botanical name
-
Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips'
syn. Salvia × jamensis 'Hot Lips' - Flower colour
- Hot red, white
- Established height
- 70cm-1m
- Established spread
- 70cm-1m
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Clump-forming
Upright - Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- Yes
- Plant size
- 1
- Plant spacing
- 9 plants per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- Yes
- Position
-
Sheltered
Exposed - Rabbit resistant
- Yes
- RHS Award (AGM)
- Yes
- Scented
- Yes
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
-
Free draining
Dry - Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Stony
Multipurpose compost
Loam-based compost - Suitable for
-
Pots
Large containers
Borders
Gravel gardens
Wildlife gardens
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens - Sunlight
-
Full sun
Partial shade
Dappled shade - Toxicity
- No report
- Years to establish
- 2-3 years
Perfect for pots
Pollinator-friendly
Fragrant
Thrives in full sun
RHS Recommended
Perennial
Fully hardy
Packed peat-free
Drought tolerant
Low maintenance
Attracts wildlife
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Salvia 'Hot Lips' reviews
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