90981

Salvia microphylla var. microphylla

Sage

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Flowers
Flowers

Plant does not flower in January

Plant does not flower in February

Plant does not flower in March

Plant does not flower in April

Plant does not flower in May

Plant does not flower in June

Plant does not flower in July

Plant does flower in August

Plant does flower in September

Plant does not flower in October

Plant does not flower in November

Plant does not flower in December

  • Botanical name: Salvia microphylla var. microphylla
  • Common name: Sage
  • Family: Lamiaceae
  • Plant Type: Herb, Evergreen

The name ‘salvia‘ derives from the old Latin salveo, meaning ‘I heal’ or ‘I save’. Sage was used as a healing plant, by Greeks and Romans. While it’s now mainly used as a culinary herb, sage tea, made by steeping a few sage leaves in hot water, is today still used as a remedy for coughs and sore throats.

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As well as its culinary value, sage is a valuable decorative evergreen shrub, which doesn’t look out of place in ornamental borders.

Salvia microphylla var. microphylla has small oval-shaped leaves with a distinct fragrance reminiscent of blackcurrants. It’s thought to originate from the mountain regions of Central and South America, so does best in a sunny, sheltered spot, such as a patio. For best results, grow blackcurrant sage in a container, so you can bring it indoors in winter.

A highly ornamental salvia, Salvia microphylla var. microphylla bears exquisite cerise flowers in summer, luring in pollinators such as bees.

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Clip plants annually to preserve their shape and encourage growth of fresh leaves, which have the best flavour and colour. Older plants eventually become woody but are easily propagated from cuttings or by layering the naturally arching branches.

How to grow Salvia microphylla

  • Plant size

    1.2m height

    30cm spread

  • Aspect

    South facing, west facing

  • Position in border

    Front, middle

  • Sun exposure: Full sun
  • Hardiness: Hardy
  • Soil type: Chalky / alkaline / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy

Plant calendar

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Plant
Plant

Do not Plant in January

Do not Plant in February

Do not Plant in March

Do not Plant in April

Do Plant in May

Do Plant in June

Do not Plant in July

Do not Plant in August

Do not Plant in September

Do not Plant in October

Do not Plant in November

Do not Plant in December

Flowers
Flowers

Plant does not flower in January

Plant does not flower in February

Plant does not flower in March

Plant does not flower in April

Plant does not flower in May

Plant does not flower in June

Plant does not flower in July

Plant does flower in August

Plant does flower in September

Plant does not flower in October

Plant does not flower in November

Plant does not flower in December

Divide
Divide

Do not Divide in January

Do not Divide in February

Do Divide in March

Do Divide in April

Do Divide in May

Do not Divide in June

Do not Divide in July

Do not Divide in August

Do not Divide in September

Do not Divide in October

Do not Divide in November

Do not Divide in December

Take cuttings
Take cuttings

Do not Take cuttings in January

Do not Take cuttings in February

Do not Take cuttings in March

Do not Take cuttings in April

Do Take cuttings in May

Do Take cuttings in June

Do Take cuttings in July

Do not Take cuttings in August

Do not Take cuttings in September

Do not Take cuttings in October

Do not Take cuttings in November

Do not Take cuttings in December

Prune
Prune

Do not Prune in January

Do not Prune in February

Do not Prune in March

Do not Prune in April

Do not Prune in May

Do not Prune in June

Do not Prune in July

Do not Prune in August

Do Prune in September

Do Prune in October

Do Prune in November

Do not Prune in December

Salvia microphylla and wildlife

Salvia microphylla is known for attracting bees and other pollinators. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.

Attractive to Bees

Does not attract Beneficial insects

Does not attract Birds

Does not attract Butterflies​/​Moths

Attractive to Other pollinators

Is Salvia microphylla poisonous?

Salvia microphylla has no toxic effects reported.

No reported toxicity to:

No reported toxicity to Birds

No reported toxicity to Cats

No reported toxicity to Dogs

No reported toxicity to Horses

No reported toxicity to Livestock

No reported toxicity to People

Plants that go well with Salvia microphylla