Salvias or the sages are a versatile and diverse group of plants ranging from the popular red bedding plant Salvia splendens and include rosemary, sage and many herbaceous perennials. A very popular Salvia is ‘Hot Lips’ with its distinctive red and white flowers. Flowering from mid-summer to the first frosts of autumn, this plant can be relied upon to give an impressive display. As summer progresses into autumn and the days shorten, the bicolour flowers become pure white. The plant has a graceful habit and grows to about 1 metre (3 feet) in height with a pleasing, graceful habit. Like many free flowering perennials, it is a useful plant for attracting pollinators.
Salvia ‘Hot Lips’ likes an open, sunny position and a well-drained soil. It does not usually need an annual feed and is relatively pest and disease free. Pruning should be carried out as soon as growth commences in spring and dead stems should be cut out and living stems shortened by a third to encourage bushy growth. In cold winters, the weather can cause the plant to die back to ground level, but it will regrow from the base.
Like many Salvias, ‘Hot Lips’ can be grown in a container to grace a sunny patio or make a welcome statement near the front door. In borders, it associates well with low shrubs and many herbaceous perennials.
