Salvia microphylla (and hybrids)
Many Salvia species hybridize readily with each other and the differences between S. microphylla, S. gregii, and the intermediates between the two are difficult to differentiate. Many Salvias in cultivation are not reliably hardy but all of the cultivars we offer have survived five or more consecutive winters in our gardens.
They are all long blooming from about mid-summer until the first frost and are excellent flowers to attract hummingbirds and other pollinators to the garden.
Care: we find our Salvias to do best in well-drained locations (ideally mounded or in a raised bed) with a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight per day. An annual pruning in mid April on old woody growth with promote more branching and result in a longer-lived plant. Pruning them in fall makes them much more vulnerable to frost damage. A mulch of bark chips or gravel will benefit them but mulches high in organic matter such as manures or composts will usually contribute to more winter dieback.
Our Selection
Salvia 'Christine Yeo'
Description: hardy perennial; likely a cross between S. microphylla and S. chamaedryoides (blue flowers) that resulted in splendidly uncommon mid purple flowers. Vigorous and long-blooming but somewhat untidy growth. Benefits greatly from a hard pruning each spring after the last danger of frost.
Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 3 ft.
Salvia 'Dennis' Pink'
Description: hardy perennial; relatively large, true pink flowers from summer until first frost. One of the earliest salvias to bloom in our garden each year.
Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 3 ft.
Salvia 'Dyson's Joy'
Description: hardy perennial; bicolor flowers of pink with a lower white lip complemented by dark calyces. Short, narrow, foliage. Long-blooming. Of hybrid garden origin but the foliage most resembles S. greggii.
Height: to 30 in. Spread: to 30 in.
Salvia 'Flower Child'
Description: hardy perennial; a relatively small selection with compact, upright growth and pale pink flowers highlighted by very dark calyces. Found as a branch sport of Salvia 'Berzerkely' and introduced by Monterey Bay Nursery in 2009.
Height: to 2 ft. Spread: to 2 ft.
Salvia 'Hot Lips'
Description: hardy perennial; a modern staple in West Coast landscaping and gardens. Undoubtedly, the most popular of any of the S. microphylla or S. greggii types and also one of the largest. Seductive bi-color flowers with white tops and red "lips." Long-blooming from summer to first frost. Introduced by the Strybing Arboretum via Richard Turner and Alta Gracia.
Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 5 ft.
Salvia 'La Trinidad Pink'
Description: hardy perennial; a very hardy and drought tolerant selection from the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains in Nuevo Leon. Introduced by Yucca Do Nursery of Giddings, Texas in the 1990s. Low(er) growing and spreading with large pink flowers from summer until first frost.
Height: to 2 ft. Spread: to 4 ft.
Salvia 'Nachtvlinder'
Description: hardy perennial;
Height: to 2 ft. Spread: to 2 ft.
Salvia 'Royal Bumble'
Description: hardy perennial; considered to be one of the best of the red-flowered microphylla-types. Long-blooming pure red flowers from spring until first frost and sturdy, compact growth. Further complemented by very dark calyces behind each flower.
Height: to 30 in. Spread: to 30 in.
Salvia 'San Carlos Festival'
Description: hardy perennial; a 1997 introduction by Yucca Do Nursery of Giddings, Texas. Selected from a wild population in San Carlos, Tamaulipas at around approx. 3800 ft. elevation. Very compact, and low growth and stunning magenta pink flowers from summer until first frost. One of our favorite salvias and simply the best for the front of a border.
Height: to 2 ft. Spread: to 3 ft.
Salvia 'UC Pink'
Description: hardy perennial; one of our most vigorous growers in the S. microphylla group. Relatively large, glossy leaves and dark pink flowers from summer to first frost.
Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 4 ft.