Baby sage Salvia microphylla 'Pleasant View'
ABOUT
The plant known as Salvia microphylla 'Pleasant View', commonly called baby sage or Graham's sage, is a visually striking ornamental specimen. This particular variety is recognized for its lush green foliage that is small and oval-shaped, often having a slightly textured surface with a fine, soft hair-like covering. Its leaves are typically arranged in an opposite manner along the stems, creating a dense and full-bodied appearance. One of the main attractions of baby sage is the profusion of vibrant flowers that it produces over a long blooming period. These blossoms are tubular and display a rich hue, often a vivid mix of reds, pinks, or purples. The flowers are grouped in whorls along the stem, giving a stacked appearance and providing a continuous show of color. Adding to its charm, the plant carries a delightful fragrance, with a scent reminiscent of mint or citrus, which is common to members of the sage family. This scent is released when the leaves are brushed or crushed, making baby sage not only a visual but also a sensory addition to gardens. With its compact growth habit, it often forms a mounded shape and serves well as an ornamental plant in garden beds, borders, or as a feature in containers. The plant is attractive to pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it a beneficial plant for promoting local ecosystem diversity.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Lamiaceae.
Synonyms
Baby Sage, Graham's Sage, Blackcurrant Sage, Hot Lips Sage.
Common names
Salvia microphylla.
ToxicityTo humans
Salvia microphylla, commonly known as Baby Sage, generally is not considered toxic to humans. No significant toxic effects have been reported from the ingestion of this plant. However, as with any plant, individual sensitivities can vary, and it's always prudent to avoid ingesting plants unless they are known to be edible. In rare cases, some people might experience mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested in large quantities.
To pets
Baby Sage is not typically considered toxic to pets either. There are no common reports of significant toxicity in pets such as dogs and cats from ingesting Salvia microphylla 'Pleasant View'. However, the same caution applies as with humans; variations in individual sensitivity can occur, so it's best to discourage pets from consuming this or any ornamental plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Semi-deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Red
Height
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Spread
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
7-10
Native area
Mexico
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators - Salvia microphylla 'Pleasant View' produces flowers that are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, promoting biodiversity.
- Drought Tolerance - Once established, it is highly tolerant to drought, requiring minimal water and reducing the need for irrigation.
- Easy to Grow - This plant is known for its hardiness and low maintenance, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Landscape Aesthetics - 'Pleasant View' adds vibrant color with its deep red or pink blossoms, enhancing the visual appeal of gardens and landscapes.
- Ground Cover - It can be used as an effective ground cover, suppressing weeds and reducing soil erosion.
Medical Properties- Antioxidant: Salvia microphylla contains compounds with antioxidant properties that may help protect cells from oxidative damage.
- Anti-inflammatory: The plant has been traditionally used for its anti-inflammatory effects in various ethnobotanical systems.
- Antimicrobial: Some studies have indicated that it has antimicrobial activity against various pathogens.
- Analgesic: Salvia microphylla has been used in traditional medicine for its pain-relieving properties.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Culinary Accent: The fragrant leaves of Salvia microphylla, commonly known as Baby Sage, can be used to add a subtle, savory flavor to dishes, particularly in Mediterranean cuisine.
- Crafting Potpourri: Dried leaves and flowers can be added to potpourri mixes for a long-lasting scent in your home.
- Natural Dye: The flowers and leaves can be boiled to create a natural dye for fabrics or paper crafting.
- Garden Borders: Baby Sage can be used to create low-lying, colorful borders for garden paths or flower beds.
- Flower Arrangements: The vibrant flowers are ideal for adding a pop of color to bouquets or floral displays.
- Butterfly Garden: Planting Baby Sage can attract butterflies, adding beauty and supporting pollinator populations in your garden.
- Educational Tool: Schools and educational programs can use Baby Sage in plant biology studies due to its ease of growth and interesting characteristics.
- Plant Photography: The attractive blooms provide a great opportunity for photographers, especially macro photography enthusiasts.
- Companion Planting: Baby Sage is believed to help neighboring plants by repelling certain pests, making it a good companion in the vegetable garden.
- Beekeeping: As a nectar-rich plant, Baby Sage can be grown near beehives to provide an additional food source for honeybees.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Baby Sage is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Baby Sage is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Healing: Salvia, part of the sage family, is often associated with healing due to its many varieties with medicinal properties.
- Wisdom: The word 'sage' is synonymous with a wise person, which corresponds to the symbolic meaning of the plant implying wisdom and insight.
- Protection: Sage has a historical use in rituals for purification and protectiveness, often believed to ward off evil spirits.
- Longevity: Given that some species of sage are known for their longevity and hardiness, they may symbolize a long life and vitality.
WaterFor the Baby Sage, it is essential to water the plant deeply but infrequently to encourage a strong root system, especially during the first growing season. Establish a routine where the plant receives about 1 inch of water per week, whether from rainfall or irrigation. During the active growing season in spring and summer, water when the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch. In the absence of rainfall, this could mean watering every 5 to 7 days, adjusting for temperature and soil conditions. Reduce watering in the fall and further in winter when the plant’s water requirements decrease.
LightBaby Sage thrives in full sun conditions, where it can receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. It performs best when placed in a spot where the morning sun is strong, and some afternoon shade is available, especially in hot climates. The intense light encourages vigorous growth and abundant flowering.
TemperatureBaby Sage favors temperate climates and can survive minimum temperatures down to around 15°F, although frost could damage the foliage. It thrives in temperatures between 55°F and 85°F, which promotes the best growth and flowering. Extreme heat or sudden temperature drops can stress the plant, so it is recommended to provide some protection in these conditions.
PruningPruning Baby Sage should be done to maintain the desired shape, remove dead or spent flowers, and encourage thicker growth. The best time to prune is in early spring or just after the last frost. Pruning can be done periodically throughout the growing season to remove spent flower spikes and encourage a second bloom. Cut back the plant by about one-third in late winter to prepare for new spring growth.
CleaningAs needed
SoilBaby Sage thrives in well-draining soil with a mix of loam, peat, perlite, and compost, and prefers a pH level between 6.5 and 7.0 for optimal growth.
RepottingBaby Sage should be repotted every 2-3 years to ensure it has enough room to grow and to refresh its soil.
Humidity & MistingBaby Sage is adaptable to a wide range of humidity levels but does best with moderate humidity.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Baby Sage in bright, indirect light and ensure good air circulation.
Outdoor
Full sun to partial shade; protect from extreme cold.
Hardiness zone
7-10 USDA
Life cycleSalvia microphylla 'Pleasant View', commonly known as Baby Sage or Hot Lips, starts its life cycle as a seed, which under the right conditions of warmth and moisture, will germinate and sprout into a seedling. The seedling stage is characterized by the emergence of the first set of true leaves, after which the plant enters the vegetative growth phase, wherein it develops a robust root system and abundant foliage. During this phase, which can last for several months, the plant grows vigorously and prepares for the flowering stage. In its adult phase, Baby Sage produces vibrant, two-tone flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds, contributing to the reproductive cycle through pollination. After pollination, the plant sets seeds, which can be dispersed by various means to start a new generation. As a perennial, Baby Sage will go through a dormancy period during colder months, only to re-emerge and repeat this life cycle when conditions improve in the spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Salvia microphylla 'Pleasant View', commonly known as baby sage, is typically propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings. Cuttings are best taken in late spring or early summer when the plant's growth is vigorous. To propagate, a gardener should select a healthy stem and cut a 4 to 6-inch (10 to 15 centimeters) piece just below a node. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end may be dipped in rooting hormone to facilitate root development. The cutting is then placed in well-draining soil and kept moist until roots have formed, which usually takes a few weeks. Once rooted, the new plants can gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions before being transplanted into the garden.
