Salvia Microphylla Porthos Baby Sage

Salvia Microphylla Porthos is a deciduous perennial baby sage with aromatic leaves and rich red purple flowers that bloom throughout summer. It suits sunny flower beds and plant containers.

Salvia Microphylla is native to south-eastern Arizona and the mountains of Mexico. Saliva is easily crossed and the variety Porthos is a cultivar of the Salvia microphylla Royal Bumble and Salvia grahamii Violette. This baby sage has small aromatic leaves on sturdy dark green stems that grow upright. In late summer and into autumn rich red-purple flowers with dark purple petioles bloom on long spikes held above the foliage. In good conditions Baby Sage can flower for six months.

This is an excellent choice for dry flower borders and hot sunny spots as it’s drought resistant once established.

Height And Spread of Salvia Microphylla Porthos
Microphylla is from the Greek for ‘small-leaved’ which refers to its foliage size. A low-growing plant, this Porthos baby sage will reach a height of 80 cms and spread over 70 cms.

How Hardy Is Salvia Microphylla Porthos
Salvia are hardy perennials and when grown in well-drained conditions can withstand sub zero temperatures. Once established Baby Sage Porthos can withstand drought and its aromatic foliage tends to deter pests.

How To Use Salvia Microphylla Porthos
A great addition to dry gardens, baby sage will thrive in chalky or sandy soil. Its rich-toned flowers suit a cottage garden and its upright structure looks good in modern gardens.
Baby Sage’s tough, dry loving nature means it suits a container on a patio, a balcony garden, low maintenance spaces, gravel gardens, or courtyard sun traps where it attracts plenty of pollinators with its 6-month long bloom.

The foliage can be used in place of culinary sage.

How To Care For Salvia Microphylla Porthos
Choose a well-drained, sheltered spot in full sun for the best flowers and scent. It will grow in exposed areas, but will not flower so profusely.
Baby Sage benefits from deadheading and can be pruned back lightly in early spring to manage its size.
Water well until established and apply a thick layer of mulch in early spring.