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Mountain Sage Picture Gallery

Salvia microphylla, or Mountain Sage as it is commonly called, is among the best hummingbird flowers. Hummingbirds love reds and pinks, which abound in this species. The tubular blossoms are filled with rich nectar.

Mountain Sage tolerates heat and drought. It is native to the dry, rocky lands of Southern Arizona and the mountainous areas of northern and central Mexico where it is known as “Mirto de Montes” or “myrtle of the mountains.” It blooms in spring and again in fall.

Despite the aridity and high elevations of its homelands, Salvia microphylla is adaptable to a broad range of climates and grows beautifully at sea level in humid coastal areas.

Although closely related to its Southwestern and Mexican relative Salvia greggii, this species has foliage that is more lush with larger, deeper green leaves.

Related Blog entries for plants in the Mountain Sage Picture Gallery

Salvia Small Talk: Deadheading Deciduous, Woody Stem Sages:

Deadheading withered blossoms from deciduous woody stem Salvias like Autumn Sage makes them look tidy and repeat bloom during the growing season. A woody stem sage is a subshrub with partially woody growth.

Summer & Early Fall Pruning of Autumn and Mountain Sage:

Summer and fall pruning of Salvias requires only light trimming of spent blossoms, which is known as deadheading. It increases bloom for Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii) and Mountain Sage (Salvia microphylla), which are particularly abundant bloomers in autumn. In this video from Northern California's Flowers by the Sea farm, FBTS horticulturist and co-owner Kermit Carter shows how to use sharp hand pruners to quickly remove flower spikes that have gone to seed. Carter explains how flowering plants have less energy to put into blossoming if they are setting seed. Removal of spent blossoms improves a plant's appearance and makes continuous bloom possible. FBTS specializes in the Salvia genus, which contains about 1,000 species. This video is part of FBTS Everything Salvias Blog series Views from the Garden.

A New Category - Autumn Sage & Mountain Sage:

Without a doubt, this group of closely related plants are the most widely grown of the genus. From 'Hot Lips' to 'Texas Wedding', there is something here for everyone.

Properties for plants in the Mountain Sage Picture Gallery
Name Mature height Mature width Flower color Bract color Exposure
Salvia x 'John Whittlesey' 3 to 4 feet 3 to 4 feet Not yet defined * Not yet defined * Full sun
Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips' 1 to 2 feet 1 to 2 feet Not yet defined * Not yet defined * Full sun
Salvia microphylla 'Variegata' 1 to 2 feet 1 to 2 feet Vivid Red Moderate Red Full sun to partial shade
Salvia microphylla var. neurepia 3 to 4 feet 3 to 4 feet Vivid Red Deep Yellowish Green Full sun to partial shade
Salvia microphylla 'Red Velvet' 3 to 4 feet 3 to 4 feet Vivid Reddish Orange Dark Red Full sun to partial shade
Salvia microphylla 'San Carlos Festival' 1 to 2 feet 2 to 3 feet Vivid Red Strong Yellowish Green Full sun to partial shade
Salvia microphylla 'Heatwave Scorcher' 1 to 2 feet 1 to 2 feet Deep Purplish Pink Dark Red Full sun to partial shade
Salvia microphylla 'Heatwave Glimmer' 1 to 2 feet 1 to 2 feet Pale Yellowish Green Dark Purple Full sun to partial shade
Salvia microphylla 'Mesa Azure' 1 foot or less 1 foot or less Strong Purplish Blue Dark Red Full sun to partial shade
Salvia microphylla 'Royal Bumble' 3 to 4 feet 3 to 4 feet Strong Red Dark Red Full sun to partial shade
Salvia microphylla 'Flower Child' 1 to 2 feet 1 to 2 feet Vivid Reddish Purple Dark Red Full sun to partial shade
Salvia microphylla 'La Trinidad Pink' 2 to 3 feet 3 to 4 feet Vivid Purplish Red Dark Red Full sun to partial shade
Salvia microphylla 'Orange Door' 3 to 4 feet 3 to 4 feet Vivid Red Strong Yellowish Green Full sun to partial shade
Salvia microphylla 'People's Park' 1 foot or less 1 to 2 feet Strong Purplish Red Dark Red Full sun to partial shade
Salvia microphylla 'Telegraph Avenue' 1 to 2 feet 1 to 2 feet Vivid Purplish Red Strong Yellowish Green Full sun to partial shade
Salvia microphylla 'Honey Rose' 3 to 4 feet 3 to 4 feet Vivid Reddish Orange Strong Yellowish Green Full sun to partial shade
Salvia x 'Penny's Smile' 3 to 4 feet 3 to 4 feet Not yet defined * Not yet defined * Full sun to partial shade
Salvia microphylla 'Wild Watermelon' 3 to 4 feet 3 to 4 feet Vivid Purplish Red Strong Yellowish Green Full sun to partial shade
Salvia microphylla 'Berkeley Barb' 2 to 3 feet 2 to 3 feet Vivid Red Dark Purple Full sun to partial shade
Salvia microphylla 'Heatwave Blaze' 1 to 2 feet 1 to 2 feet Strong Red Dark Red Full sun to partial shade
Salvia microphylla 'Rosie O' Grady' 3 to 4 feet 5 to 6 feet Deep Purplish Pink Strong Yellowish Green Full sun to partial shade
Salvia microphylla 'Killer Cranberry' 2 to 3 feet 2 to 3 feet Deep Red Strong Yellowish Green Full sun to partial shade
Salvia microphylla 'Heatwave Blast' 1 to 2 feet 1 to 2 feet Strong Yellowish Pink Light Yellowish Green Full sun to partial shade
Salvia microphylla 'Heatwave Brilliance' 1 to 2 feet 1 to 2 feet Vivid Reddish Purple Moderate Red Full sun to partial shade
Salvia microphylla 'Heatwave Radiance' 1 to 2 feet 1 to 2 feet Strong Reddish Purple Dark Red Full sun to partial shade
* We have not yet defined this plants colors