Garden Oracle / Drought and Heat Tolerant Gardening / Tucson - Phoenix - Arizona - California

Growing Salvia x jamensis:
Salvia 'Hot Lips'

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Description
Form: Herb.
Lifespan: Perennial.
Leaf retention: Evergreen in frost-free regions.
Growth rate: Moderate to rapid.
Mature Size: 2-3' high and wide.
Flowers: Similar to Salvia greggii in shape, the flowers can be red, red and white, or white, depending on temperature during flower bud formation. High temperatures result in all white.
Bloom: Fall, heaviest in winter, sporadically throughout spring.
Fruit: Up to four tiny seeds at the base of each dried calyx (cup-like structure that holds the flower petals and ovary).
Leaves: Green, small, almost triangular, toothed edges.
Stems: No thorns, herbaceous.
Wildlife: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
Toxic / Danger: No.
Origin: Mexico.

Cultivation and Uses
USDA hardiness zones: 8-10. This plant is killed to the ground by hard freezes but will come back from its roots.
Heat tolerant: Somewhat.
Drought tolerant: Yes, in part shade.
Sun: One-quarter to three-quarters shade. Avoid full sun and full shade.
Water once established: Once or twice a month in part shade. Weekly in nearly full sun. Over watering results in a leggy appearance.
Soil: Well drained, pH 6.1-7.8 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline).
Prune: Mid winter in frost-free zones, trim to shape. Do not remove more than one-third of the growth.
Litter: Low except for winter cleanup.
Propagation: Dividing the rootball, layering, seed. Seed will not grow true to the parents.
Uses: Shaded ornamental. For culinary mint plants, see Low Water Culinary Herbs.

Comments
This plant is a member of the Mint family (Lamiaceae). In the past it has mistakenly been identified as Salvia microphylla 'Hot lips' or Salvia greggii 'Hot lips'. This plant may cross-pollinate with other salvias, including Salvia greggii, making identification difficult.



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Salvia x jamensis: Salvia 'Hot Lips'

Salvia x jamensis: Salvia 'Hot Lips'

Latest update: July, 2022
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