Salvia microphylla

An open, spreading woody, evergreen, shrub growing to 1m tall and 0.7m wide.

Leaves are ovate to elliptic, slightly hairy, aromatic and grey-green in colour. From late summer through autumn bright red, magenta, pink or purple flowers are produced in loose racemes.

Prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

With suitable preparation and care, perennials will grow and flower well year after year. They benefit from a weed-free well-drained soil rich in organic material. Prepare the planting site when soil is moist and easily worked after the first rains in autumn. Remove all perennial weeds and incorporate bark, compost or other organic material. On heavy soils raise the level of beds and borders with extra topsoil and coarse pumice or sand. Plant when the soil is moist and warm in autumn or early spring so that a good root system develops to support vigorous new growth. Always choose healthy, well-grown plants and plant after autumn rains. Before planting, ensure the root ball is saturated and remove the planter bag or pot with minimal root disturbance. Trim any broken roots and plant at the same level as in the container. Dig a hole twice the diameter of the root ball and firm in, water once planted. Make sure plants are watered well until established if planting in a drier period. Plant with some general slow-release fertiliser and then every spring apply an organic-based fertiliser such as blood and bone at a handful per square metre as new growth begins. Planting too closely leads to spindly growth, poor flowering and eventual decline. In a border, plants should just touch each other to create a full effect without overcrowding.

Apply an organic mulch annually to help suppress weeds and conserve moisture. Feed annually in spring with a balanced fertiliser such as blood and bone at a handful per square metre in spring as new growth begins. Prune off any old flowers after flowering to prolong flowering this can be done with the aid of a pair of snips. Propagation of this salvia is a little different to others as it is a woody species. Take cuttings of semi-ripe material in spring or autumn. Give this plant a light trim in spring before it gets into full growth, trimming mainly keeps the plants a nice shape but doesn't necessarily need to be done if you wish not to but this salvia can become leggy if left untrimmed.

Attracts beneficial insects and pollinators to the garden.

Generally trouble-free as long as it is placed in well-drained soil.

Salvia Garden