Salvia microphylla - Baby sage

Salvia microphylla, known as "baby sage" or "graham's sage", belongs to the family of the lip flower (Lamiaceae) and is a lasting, persistent plant. It originally comes from the mountain regions of Mexico and the southwest of the United States, especially from altitude between 1500 and 2500 meters. Because of their striking flowers, their compact growth and their adaptability Salvia microphylla found a broad spread in gardens worldwide.

Morphology and appearance

Salvia microphylla is a bushy, herbaceous to semi -wicked shrub that reaches a height of about 60 to 120 centimeters. The plant has a dense, branched growth with upright, slightly overhanging stems that cancel in the lower area. The bark of older shoots is often brownish and scaly.

A characteristic characteristic of Salvia microphylla are the small, egg -shaped to lanceolate leaves that give the plant their name (lat. microphylla = "Small -leaf"). The leaves are arranged, slightly hairy and dark green color. Your surface is often a bit wrinkled, and when touched, you exude an aromatic fragrance that is due to the presence of essential oils.

The flowers of Salvia microphylla are striking and have the typical lip shape of the genus Salvia. The crown is two -lipped, with the upper lip protecting upwards and the lower lip forms a wide, often tongue -like platform. The flowers are bright red, pink or magenta paints, rarely also violet or white. They stand in terminal, torture inflorescences and appear over a long period of time, often from spring to autumn. The flowers are particularly rich in nectar and serve as an important source of food for bees, butterflies and colibris.

Distribution and habitat

Salvia microphylla is at home in the mountain regions of Mexico, Guatemalas and the southwestern North America. It thrives at altitudes, where the climate is moderate and large temperature differences occur between day and night. The plant prefers well -permeable, nutrient -poor soils and often grows at sunny locations such as forest edges, rocky slopes or open clearings.

Due to its ability to tolerate dry periods, Salvia microphylla is perfectly adapted to arid and semi-arid habitats. It can survive longer periods with low water availability, but under optimal conditions it grows vigorously and flowers for a long time.

Ecological meaning

The bright flowers of Salvia microphylla play an important role in pollination. They attract a variety of insects such as bees and butterflies, but are particularly specialized in colibris. The tubular flower structure and the abundant nectar make the plant an ideal source of food for these birds, which perform an important ecological function as pollinators.

In addition, bears Salvia microphylla to stabilization of soil because its root system reduces erosion on slopes and in open, dry regions.

Use and cultivation

Due to their long flowering period, its drought resistance and its attractive appearance Salvia microphylla cultivated worldwide as an ornamental plant in gardens. It is ideal for discounts, rock gardens and natural plantings. The plant prefers sunny locations and well -permeable soils, but is relatively easy to care for and can also cope with low -nutrient floors.

There are numerous hybrids and varieties in the garden culture that differ in flower color and growth shape. Varieties with intensive red tones or two -color flowers are particularly popular. Salvia microphylla can be easily multiply by cuttings or seeds and is relatively frost -tolerant, but requires certain protection in colder regions.

In traditional medicine Salvia microphylla Due to their essential oil content occasionally used to treat colds or indigestion. However, scientific studies on the medical effect are limited.