- Botanical name: Salvia microphylla var. microphylla
- Common name: Sage
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Plant Type: Herb, Evergreen
- Key features:
- Aromatic foliage
- Attractive to wildlife
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.
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.
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
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does flower in August |
S
Plant does flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do Divide in March |
A
Do Divide in April |
M
Do Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
| Take cuttings | ||||||||||||
| Take cuttings |
J
Do not Take cuttings in January |
F
Do not Take cuttings in February |
M
Do not Take cuttings in March |
A
Do not Take cuttings in April |
M
Do Take cuttings in May |
J
Do Take cuttings in June |
J
Do Take cuttings in July |
A
Do not Take cuttings in August |
S
Do not Take cuttings in September |
O
Do not Take cuttings in October |
N
Do not Take cuttings in November |
D
Do not Take cuttings in December |
| Prune | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
J
Do not Prune in January |
F
Do not Prune in February |
M
Do not Prune in March |
A
Do not Prune in April |
M
Do not Prune in May |
J
Do not Prune in June |
J
Do not Prune in July |
A
Do not Prune in August |
S
Do Prune in September |
O
Do Prune in October |
N
Do Prune in November |
D
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 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
