Salvia, Greggii Hot Lips, Lipstick

Grow in average, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Best in sandy or rocky soils with sharp drainage. Appreciates some part afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Tolerates heat, humidity and drought. In zone 7 plants usually survive winter if grown in protected locations and given a winter mulch. ‘Wild Thing’ reportedly has better winter hardiness than species plants. Propagate by cuttings. Salvia greggii, commonly known as autumn sage, Texas sage or red Chihuahuan sage, is a small deciduous sub-shrub that grows to 2-3′ tall and as wide. It is native to rocky slopes from western and central Texas into northern Mexico. Small, rounded, oval leaves (to 2″ long) are aromatic when crushed. Two-lipped flowers bloom in whorls above the foliage on 3-6″ stems from June to October. Flower color is usually a form of red, but may also appear as orange, pink, purple or sometimes white. Best bloom occurs in late spring and fall, with sporadic bloom in the heat of the summer. ‘Wild Thing’ produces hot pink flowers. Flowers are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Specific epithet honors Josiah Gregg (1806-1850), botanist and explorer, who first collected this plant on a trip through Texas to Mexico in the mid 1840s.