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Salvia greggii — commonly known as Autumn Sage — is a compact, bushy perennial from the mountains of Texas and Mexico that earns its place in UK gardens through sheer reliability. It flowers from late spring to the first frosts, tolerates drought well once established, and produces its flowers in colours ranging from soft pink through to deep red and crimson.
In practice the distinction between Salvia greggii and Salvia microphylla is a botanical rather than a gardening one — the two species are closely related, look similar, share the same growing requirements, and have hybridised freely to produce Salvia jamensis, which includes ‘Hot Lips’. For practical purposes, all three groups are grown in the same way.
Salvia greggii ‘Stormy Pink’ — Soft, warm pink flowers with a slightly frilled appearance — one of the most delicate colours in the greggii range. Compact at around 50–60cm, long-flowering, and particularly effective in cottage garden planting schemes.
Salvia greggii ‘Peach’ — Soft peach-toned flowers — an unusual and understated colour for the greggii group. Works particularly well in warm, pastel planting combinations and gravel gardens.
Salvia greggii ‘Red’ — Clear, bright red flowers without the darker tones of some red microphylla varieties. Compact and bushy, excellent for pollinators and a reliable long-season performer.
Salvia greggii ‘Lipstick’ — Vivid rose-pink flowers, one of the most saturated pinks in the greggii range. Reaches around 60cm with a compact, well-branched habit.
Full sun and free-draining soil — the same requirements as microphylla and jamensis. Semi-hardy (RHS H3–H4), surviving mild UK winters in sheltered south-facing gardens with a generous October mulch. In colder gardens, take semi-ripe cuttings in August.
Feed fortnightly with high-potash liquid fertiliser from May to September. Cut back in spring once new growth is visible at the base — never in autumn. Deadhead every two to three weeks for continuous flowering.
See our microphylla and greggii care guide, cuttings guide and overwintering guide.
Browse all Salvia greggii varieties at Middleton Nurseries
Salvia greggii (Autumn Sage) is a compact, bushy perennial from Texas and Mexico. It produces flowers from late spring to the first frosts in colours from soft pink through to deep red. Semi-hardy in UK gardens — it survives mild winters in sheltered south-facing positions.
They are closely related species with very similar habit, flower form and growing requirements. The main practical difference is flower size — greggii flowers tend to be slightly smaller — and the natural hybrids between the two species form the jamensis group, which includes ‘Hot Lips’.
Semi-hardy (RHS H3–H4). It survives mild UK winters in sheltered gardens with a generous October mulch. In colder or more exposed gardens, take semi-ripe cuttings in August and overwinter in a frost-free space.
From late spring to the first frosts — the same exceptional season length as microphylla. Regular deadheading every two to three weeks maintains continuous flowering throughout the season.
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