A hybrid of Salvia greggii and Salvia microphylla, ‘Hot Lips’ is a vigorous, long-blooming shrub that’s perfect for sunny, hot, dry areas. Exceptionally fast growing. It features small, rounded, aromatic foliage and two-toned white and cherry red flowers that bloom all through summer and fall and attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Shear throughout summer and fall for better flowering. Can be cut back hard in late winter provided that leaves are left below the pruning cuts. Inland, this Salvia can take light shade and prefers regular to occasional water. Two-toned flowers will often revert to all-red and back to two toned or periodically, all-white. Hot Lips is a very easy to grow and attractive shrub for larger areas. Spacing is important so that it does not overtake other plants in the landscape.
- Common Name:
- Bi-color Saliva
- Mature Height:
- 3-4'
- Mature Spread:
- 3-5'
- Exposure:
- Sun
- Growth:
- Evergreen
- Flower Color:
- Red & White
- Foliage Color:
- Green
- Flower Time:
- Spring - Fall