Baby Sage
Salvia microphylla
Also known as: Lemmon's Sage
- Native to:
- Guam, Guatemala, Mexico
Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Genus:
- Salvia
- Species:
- Salvia microphylla
- USDA Symbol:
- SAMI20
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov
- Bloom Colors:
- red, pink, magenta
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★★★★★ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Hummingbirds:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented hummingbird visits (GBIF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), Bombus californicus, Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica), Two-spotted Longhorn (Melissodes bimaculatus), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), Xylocopa micans, Xylocopa tabaniformis, Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus) Hummingbirds: Allen's Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin), Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna), Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) Butterflies:Julia butterfly (Dione vanillae), ⚠️Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to dry, rocky slopes and open woodlands
Propagation & Germination
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily at 20-25°C with light; no pretreatment required.
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Most interbreed and seed may not be what is labelled