Ornamental Sage Hot Lips

Most fittingly named for its luscious scarlet flowers, Salvia Hot Lips is a medium-sized, shrubby perennial, evergreen if not cut back by frost. It has a bushy habit, and the small, ovate leaves are mid-green and aromatic. From June, scarlet, typical sage-type flowers are carried in loose terminal racemes; the flowers change to white with scarlet ‘lips’ in July and August, and occasionally turn completely white thereafter, continuing until the first frost. The flowers are nectar-rich and very good for pollinators. Long-flowering ornamental sage Hot Lips holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Site: Sheltered
Soil: Any light, well-drained soil
Position: Full sun; tolerates light shade
Season of interest: Mid-summer to mid-autumn
Hardiness: Fully hardy
Height: 39” (1m) Spread: 39” (1m)