Baby Sage Salvia microphylla 'Blue Monrovia'
ABOUT
The 'Blue Monrovia' Salvia, also known as Baby Sage, is an ornamental plant treasured for its attractive flowers and foliage. This salvia variety showcases vivid blue to purple flowers that bloom prolifically, creating a stunning visual display. The blossoms are small yet abundant, arranged in whorls along upright flowering spikes, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies with their vibrant color and nectar. The foliage of the 'Blue Monrovia' Salvia is equally appealing, with small, oval to lance-shaped leaves. These leaves are bright green, with a slightly textured surface, providing a lush background that contrasts beautifully with the radiant blooms. The leaves often emit a pleasant fragrance when brushed or crushed, adding an aromatic dimension to the plant's appeal. With a bushy, rounded habit, this salvia presents a full and dense appearance. It displays a vigorous nature, typically covered in flowers and foliage that work in harmony to create a dense tapestry of color and texture. It is this lush attribute combined with showy flowers that make 'Blue Monrovia' a favored choice for gardeners looking to add a splash of color without the mention of its size.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Lamiaceae.
Synonyms
Baby Sage, Graham's Sage, Blackcurrant Sage, Little Leaf Sage, Blue Monrovia Sage.
Common names
Salvia microphylla 'Blue Monrovia'.
ToxicityTo humans
Salvia microphylla, commonly known as Baby Sage, is not widely known as a toxic plant to humans. In general, the Salvia genus includes some plants used for culinary and medicinal purposes. However, individual sensitivity varies, and ingestion of large quantities of any plant material may cause gastrointestinal discomfort or an allergic reaction in some people. If an individual has specific concerns or underlying health conditions, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional.
To pets
Baby Sage, also known as Salvia microphylla, does not have a widespread reputation for being toxic to pets. However, as with any non-food plant, it's advisable to prevent pets from consuming it in large amounts. Some animals may experience mild gastrointestinal upset if they ingest part of the plant. If any adverse reactions are observed, contact a veterinarian. It's always a good practice to monitor pets around plants and to keep any plant that isn’t explicitly known to be safe out of their reach.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
2 feet (0.61 meters)
Spread
2 feet (0.61 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
7
Native area
Mexico
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts pollinators: Salvia microphylla 'Blue Monrovia' is known to attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which are beneficial for pollination in gardens.
- Drought tolerant: Once established, this variety of salvia is quite drought-resistant, making it a good choice for water-wise landscapes and xeriscaping.
- Low maintenance: It requires minimal upkeep beyond the occasional pruning to maintain its shape and encourage new growth.
- Long blooming season: The plant has a notably long flowering period, providing colorful blooms from late spring to early frost.
- Scented foliage: The leaves of this salvia are aromatic, which can add a pleasant fragrance to the garden or when used in cut flower arrangements.
- Hardy perennial: It is a hardy plant that can withstand less-than-ideal conditions and return year after year.
- Colorful addition: With its striking blue flowers, it adds vibrant color to garden borders, beds, and containers.
- Erosion control: Its root system can help to stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes and banks.
- Deer resistant: It is generally resistant to deer, making it a good option for gardens in areas where deer browsing is a problem.
- Companion planting: It pairs well with other drought-tolerant plants, creating diverse and resilient garden compositions.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Chickadee Attraction: Baby Blue Sage can be used to attract chickadees, as the birds enjoy the seeds and the plant structure for perching.
- Artistic Inspiration: Artists and photographers may utilize the vivid color and texture of Baby Blue Sage for inspiration or as subjects in their work.
- Culinary Garnish: The flowers of Baby Blue Sage can be used as an edible garnish in salads or on desserts for a touch of color and mild flavor.
- Book Pressing: The flowers and leaves can be used for pressing in books, creating natural bookmarks or decorative elements for craft projects.
- Education: Baby Blue Sage serves as a learning tool for botany students studying pollination, as it is a favored plant by many pollinators.
- Natural Dye: The flowers may be used to create a natural dye for fabrics or paper, yielding a delicate color.
- Hummingbird Watching: Planting Baby Blue Sage in the garden can provide excellent opportunities for hummingbird watching, as they are attracted to the flowers.
- Aromatherapy: Leaves of the Baby Blue Sage, when crushed, can be used in homemade potpourri for their pleasant fragrance.
- Festival and Ceremony: The vibrant blossoms can be included in floral arrangements at festivals or ceremonies for their aesthetic presence.
- Literary Motif: Writers may use Baby Blue Sage as a motif or symbol in poetry and literature, representing various themes such as calmness or resilience.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiSalvia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilitySalvia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Healing: Salvia plants, commonly known as sage, have a long history of being used for medicinal and healing purposes. The name "Salvia" comes from the Latin "salvare," which means "to save" or "to heal."
- Wisdom: Sage is often associated with wisdom and knowledge, likely because of its frequent use in ancient traditions for ritual purposes and its connection to the improvement of memory and cognition.
- Longevity: Sage has been used to promote longevity and preserve health, again due to its historical medicinal use.
- Protection: In various cultures, sage is believed to have protective properties, often burned in smudging ceremonies to purify and protect spaces from negative energies.
- Immortality: Its preservative qualities when used in foods and the idea that it can promote a long life have endowed sage with symbolism related to immortality.
WaterBaby Sage, also known as Salvia microphylla 'Blue Monrovia', should be watered deeply once or twice a week during its active growth in spring and summer, tapering off to once every two weeks in the fall and less frequently during winter as the plant enters dormancy. Ideally, apply about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water for each watering session, thoroughly soaking the root zone to encourage deep root development and avoid shallow watering which can promote weak root systems. Adjust watering frequency based on weather conditions, with less water needed during periods of rainfall and more during hot, dry spells.
LightBaby Sage thrives in full sun to partial shade. This means the ideal spot for the plant is where it can receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. However, in extremely hot climates, providing some afternoon shade will help prevent scorching of the leaves.
TemperatureBaby Sage can withstand a wide range of temperatures but performs best at daytime temperatures between 70°F and 85°F and can tolerate nighttime temperatures down to about 10°F. The plant is hardy and can survive short periods of frost, but prolonged exposure to temperatures below freezing can be detrimental.
PruningBaby Sage should be pruned to remove any dead or damaged branches, to shape the plant, and to promote bushier growth and more blooms. Pruning is best done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. It can also be lightly pruned after flowering to encourage a second wave of blooms.
CleaningAs needed
SoilBaby Sage prefers well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 to 7.5. A mix of garden soil, peat, perlite, and compost is ideal, ensuring good aeration and fertility.
RepottingBaby Sage should be repotted every 1-2 years or when it outgrows its current pot; early spring is the best time for repotting.
Humidity & MistingBaby Sage thrives in average humidity levels; it is adaptable and does not require high humidity environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Baby Sage in bright, indirect light indoors, and ensure good air circulation.
Outdoor
Plant Baby Sage in full sun to partial shade and protect from extreme cold.
Hardiness zone
7-10 USDA
Life cycleSalvia microphylla 'Blue Monrovia', commonly known as baby sage, begins its life cycle as a seed, which when sown, germinates in warm, moist soil. The seedling emerges, developing into a young plant with distinctive small, ovate leaves and a square stem, typical of the Lamiaceae family. As it matures, baby sage enters a vegetative state, growing in size and forming a bushy structure with multiple stems. Upon reaching maturity, the plant produces vibrant small blue to violet flowers, attracting pollinators like bees and hummingbirds, which are essential for the plant's reproductive stage. After pollination, the flowers set seed, which can be dispersed to generate new plants, completing the life cycle. Throughout the year, especially in favorable climates, baby sage may remain evergreen, although it can die back and become dormant during colder months before resurging in the spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The Salvia microphylla 'Blue Monrovia', commonly known as Baby Sage, is typically propagated through stem cuttings. The best time for taking cuttings for propagation is late spring to early summer, when the plant is actively growing. To propagate Baby Sage using stem cuttings, select a healthy, non-flowering stem and cut a 3-4 inch (approximately 7.5-10 cm) piece just below a node. Remove the lower leaves, dip the cut end into rooting hormone to encourage root development, and then plant the cutting in a well-draining soil mix. Place the pot in a warm, bright area, avoiding direct sunlight, and keep the soil consistently moist. Roots usually develop within a few weeks, after which the new plant can be gradually acclimatized to less protected conditions and eventually planted out.
