Hot Lip Salvia reverted to solid reds and whites
forever_a_newbie_VA8
17 days ago
last modified: 13 days ago
I’m very surprised to see my white and red Hot Lip salvia has changed or reverted to sold reds and whites.
It almost looks like 2 distinct plants
I planted it 2 years ago. It used to be the variegated color.
I don’t complain of this change since I like color colors better. i am just curious . To me it seems the plant has reverted back tonits parents maybe?
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forever_a_newbie_VA8
17 days agoRelated Discussions
Salvia 'Hot lips' reverting
Comments (6)I have three plants, one had a few white with light pink lips, the second had a few red flowers and refuses to bloom, the third a mature plant I got from a LA nursery with flowers of red and white. Sometimes a branch would have all red flowers, another brach would be white flowers. I watched a hummingbird go to every single flower several days in a row yet not one single seed formed. I guess the bumble bees got to it first....See MoreHot Lips Volunteer Seedling?
Comments (2)Sure I may have mentioned this before, but as far as I know I was responsible for introducing 'Hot Lips' into the UK, a few years ago. I was allowed to collect seeds from a large clump at Cabrillo, never thinking that they would come true. But some did, and Hot Lips is now available in the UK. (To be correct it should be called x Hot Lips.) This has never, ever set seed in the UK, unlike most microphylla cultivars. I do wonder why this seems to be sterile. Amazing new bi-coloured cultivars are always possible. Hot Lips here behaves like everywhere else...red and white in spring, pure white (occasionally red) in summer, then bi-coloured in autumn. Weird, but delightful! Another seedling from the Cabrillo plants was quite different, twice as vigorous, shiny leaves, red stems, red flowers, which I have cheekily named 'Robin's Pride'. Seems to be almost identical to S. microphylla 'Huntington' in the USA. This can grow to 6 ft tall....striking, not invasive, but somewhat thuggish! Robin....See MoreCan't say enough good things about Hot Lips
Comments (22)I tried a different planting method with Orange Door last year. In the spring of 2007 it appeared that the row had died, but when I dug the plants out a few shoots were found deep down, about 6 or more inches. So when the row was replanted the new plants were set 6 or more inches deep. It could be done because the sandy soil in the row is very free draining. Who knows if it will work, but it is worth a try. Steven, I like Orange Door for the reasons Richard mentions. Plus for some reason I don't quite understand, women are attracted to it. Whatever color it is, some sort of pink, it has very vivid flowers, they absolutely glow. I don't know what is the problem with Wild Watermelon. While it is among the oldest microphylla in the garden, it has never thrived for me. For the past 10 years or so it has returned each year but performed poorly. I should move it away from the San Carlos Festival patch with which it can't seem to compete....See Moresalvia hot lips hardiness
Comments (12)Here is my favorite comment on growing all Mediterraneans in or out of their zone, this includes salvias, herbs including rosemary, oregano, sage and shrubs and even trees. Plant them high, on a slope or better yet a hill and hardly any summer water. If you have to have them in a pot - make sure the drainage holes are big and the soil is lean and course. Lean soil means hold off the fertilizer. I grew hundreds of salvias in my Northern CA garden and rosemary is grown in parking lot, banks and grocery store landscapes and never watered in the summer. Wet summer soil and standing water is the quickest way to kill them. This is a favorite slide from one of my lectures....See Moreforever_a_newbie_VA8
17 days agoforever_a_newbie_VA8
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