Salvia, a member of the mint family, has nearly 1000 species of shrubs, herbaceous perennials, and annuals. Its blooms offer long-lasting color and attract butterflies and pollinators. Salvia is typically a rapid grower and tolerates summer heat with graceful, spiky blooms and is available in a variety of colors including blues, purples, pinks, reds, as well as, some whites and yellows.
We're giving lip service to Salvia “Hot Lips,” a stunning, fast-growing, drought tolerant perennial that blooms from mid-summer through fall. Its distinctive bi-colored blooms add a pop of color to the summer garden or potted container. A vivid red band accents the glowing white blooms, which cover the upright stems in pairs and is backed by fine, green foliage. The flowers look like miniature lips, hence its name, 'Hot Lips.' This salvia prefers full sun to part shade and works well in beds, borders, containers and in mass plantings. “Hot Lips’ is a hummingbird favorite but is usually ignored by deer.