Salvia Microphylla ‘Hot Lips’ Texas Autumn Sage

Salvia microphylla ‘Hot Lips’ has unique, two-toned, red and white flowers that bloom over aromatic green foliage on semi-woody stems. The blooms become completely red during the high heat of summer and return to red and white as the weather cools. Commonly referred to as Texas Autumn Sage or Little-leaf Sage, this plant makes a bright, bold statement with long-blooming flowers beginning in spring and into the fall. 

The plant reaches heights between 30-36 inches. The growth habit of Salvia microphylla ‘Hot Lips’ creates a sizable mound with time. It wants full sun and moist, well-drained soil, but will tolerate drier soil and drought conditions. This plant should not be cut back in fall as the old growth helps protect the more sensitive new growth during the winter. The semi-woody stems may be trimmed back hard once new growth appears in spring. The long-blooming nature of ‘Hot Lips’ attracts butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden for multiple seasons, making it well worth planting.