Salvia microphylla: An explosion of colors throughout the seasons
Small leaves, big personality: Portrait of an elegant shrub
With its small aromatic leaves and abundant flowering in vibrant hues, Salvia microphylla, the small-leaved sage, is a star of Mediterranean gardens. It displays a bushy shape and impressive vitality, offering an almost uninterrupted profusion of flowers from spring to fall. Gardeners appreciate it as much for its aesthetic qualities as for its appeal to pollinators.
The discovery: A plant native to the Mexican heights
Originally from the mountainous regions of Mexico, Salvia microphylla was first described by the English botanist George Bentham in 1833 in his work on the Lamiaceae family. The name microphylla, meaning "small leaves", refers to its characteristic foliage. Quickly adopted in European gardens, this sage has become an essential ornamental plant thanks to its spectacular flowering and robustness.

A botanical portrait: Elegance on a small scale
Scientific identification
Scientific name: Salvia microphylla
Family: Lamiaceae (Lamiaceae)
Origin: Mountainous regions of Mexico
Morphological description
Size:
Height: 60 to 100 cm
Width: 50 to 80 cm
Shape:
Shrubby, dense and harmonious, forming a compact bush.
Foliage:
Color: Medium green, sometimes tinged with reddish at the base of young shoots.
Texture: Smooth, slightly toothed.
Shape: Small oval leaves, aromatic when crushed, giving off a fruity scent.
Flowering:
Season: From late spring until the first frosts.
Flowers: Tubular, grouped in loose spikes, varying from red to bright pink, including white or two-tone shades depending on the cultivar.
Visual appeal: Abundant and continuous flowering, ideal for adding color to flowerbeds.

Adaptations and ecology
Native to arid and mountainous climates, Salvia microphylla is well adapted to water-stressed conditions and poor soils.
Natural habitat: Rocky slopes and semi-arid regions at medium altitudes.
Tolerance: Resistant to drought once well established, but fears excess humidity.
Pollinators: Attracts a wide variety of butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.

Gardener's tip: An explosion of colors that is easy to grow
Exposure: Full sun or light partial shade.
Soil: Light, well-drained, even poor.
Hardiness: Up to -10 ° C, protection recommended in harsh climates.
Watering: Moderate, avoid excess water.
Maintenance:
Prune lightly in spring to encourage abundant flowering.
Remove faded flowers to prolong flowering.
Combinations:
Ideal in clumps or borders, associated with grasses, lavenders or perennial sages such as Salvia nemorosa.

Attracting wildlife
Its nectar-rich flowers are a real feast for pollinators, especially butterflies and bees.

Notable varieties and hybrids
Here is a selection of the most popular cultivars and hybrids of Salvia microphylla and their crosses:
‘Hot Lips’: Bicolour red and white flower, very popular for its spectacular effect and its colour variations according to the season.
‘Amethyst Lips’: Bicolour variant with purple and white flowers, ideal for elegant gardens.
‘Pink Lips’: Bicolour pink and white flower, soft and romantic.
‘Béziers’: A deep red cultivar, perfect for bold clumps.
‘Delice’: Soft pink with abundant flowering, very popular in Mediterranean gardens.
‘Royal Bumble’: Intense, bright red, excellent for attracting pollinators.
‘La Luna’: Unusual, subtle, pale yellow flowers for a sophisticated effect.
‘Cherry Queen’: Bright cherry red, particularly vigorous.
Notable hybrids:
Salvia × jamensis: Result of the cross between Salvia microphylla and Salvia greggii, offering a range of colours and increased resistance:
‘Nachtvlinder’: Intense purple.
‘La Siesta’: Bright salmon pink.
‘Ember’s Wish’: Bright coral orange.

A garden essential
Thanks to its generous flowering, diversity of cultivars and attractiveness to pollinators, Salvia microphylla and its hybrids remain safe values for all types of gardens. Their easy maintenance and adaptability make them perfect choices for colourful and lively beds.