Salvia 'Hot Lips'

Common name: Cherry sage

Description: Salvia 'Hot Lips' is a flamboyant evergreen shrubby sage producing an extraordinary and seemingly endless succession of bicoloured flowers in vivid red and white from midsummer right through to autumn, the exact patterning varying fascinatingly with temperature — pure red in warm weather, pure white in cool spells, and the classic red-and-white split during moderate conditions. Its aromatic foliage is attractive in its own right, and the long flowering season combined with its tolerance of drought and moderate neglect makes it one of the most rewarding summer shrubs available. It holds an RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Other benefits: extraordinary long flowering season, fragrant foliage, drought tolerant, RHS Award of Garden Merit, low maintenance once established

Wildlife attraction: an outstanding nectar source, strongly attracting bees and hoverflies throughout the summer and autumn

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 1.2m x 1.5m

Position: full sun; sheltered, well-drained position; against a warm wall in colder gardens

Soil pH: neutral to slightly alkaline; well-drained, sandy and chalky soils; avoid heavy, wet ground

Moisture: low; drought tolerant once established; excellent drainage essential

Winter hardiness: hardy across most of the UK to approximately -10°C; mulch the base in colder gardens