Salvia microphylla (common name: Mountain Sage) is an evergreen shrub that doesn’t grow any taller than 150cm in height.  microphylla flowering begins in the spring before slowing down during the summer before ramping up again in the fall. Microphylla uses include herb tea, potpourri and decoration/ colouring of dishes due to them having a sweet scent.
Salvia microphylla survives to around -8 and propagation is usually from cuttings taken during the growing season. Plant in a position that is well-drained and gets full-sun or partially-shaded exposures. Once established, the plant usually thrives on existing rainfall.
Prune this variety in April or when new shoots appear and the frost has gone and deadhead spent flowers to encourage additional bloom. Cuttings can be easily taken from May onwards, taking 8-10cm tips of new growth.
The species were found in the wild in southeastern Arizona and the mountains of eastern, western, and southern Mexico in the 1990s. microphylla is the Greek word for ‘small leaved’ and in Mexico it is called mirto de montes. Microphylla originates from the moist canyon lands of southeast Arizona and extremely wet Guatemala.
Some of the most popular Salvia microphylla include:
- Salvia microphylla `Delice Gold and Wine’
- Salvia microphylla ‘Anduus’
- Salvia microphylla ‘Delice Aquamarine’
- Salvia microphylla ‘Pink Lips’ (Jeremy)
- Salvia microphylla `Aphrodite’
- Salvia microphylla ‘Royal Bumble’