Salvia microphylla ‘Hot Lips’
Salvia microphylla is a wonderful plant that requires little water once established and is not liked by deer, but is a hummingbird magnet! Flower colors are off-white, yellow, coral, pink, red and purple. One very popular variety is called ‘Hot Lips’, with red and white flowers. An interesting aspect of this one is the changing flower color. The flowers are considered bi-color, but, in cool weather, the red dominates. As the weather warms, the body changes to white with red “lips”. This salvia grows to about three feet tall and blooms throughout the summer. It looks best when pruned quite severely in late fall or early spring.