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.
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Salvia microphylla 'Hot Lips'
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Salvia microphylla 'Variegata'
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Salvia microphylla 'San Carlos Festival'
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Salvia microphylla 'Heatwave Glimmer'
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Salvia microphylla 'Mesa Azure'
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Salvia microphylla 'Royal Bumble'
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Salvia microphylla 'Flower Child'
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Salvia microphylla 'Orange Door'
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Salvia microphylla 'People's Park'
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Salvia microphylla 'Telegraph Avenue'
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Salvia microphylla 'Honey Rose'
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Salvia x 'Penny's Smile'
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Salvia microphylla 'Heatwave Blaze'
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Salvia microphylla 'Heatwave Blast'
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Salvia microphylla 'Heatwave Brilliance'
Related Blog entries for plants in the Mountain Sage Picture Gallery
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 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.
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.
| Name | Mature height | Mature width | Flower color | Bract color | Exposure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 'San Carlos Festival' | 1 to 2 feet | 2 to 3 feet | Vivid Red | Strong Yellowish Green | 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 '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 'Heatwave Blaze' | 1 to 2 feet | 1 to 2 feet | Strong Red | Dark Red | 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 |