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Hardiness: USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Sun Exposure: Sun to Partial Shade
Danger: N/A
Bloom Color: Red White/Near White
Bloom Time: Mid Summer Late Summer/Early Fall
Foliage: Herbaceous Smooth-Textured
Other details: This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping This plant is resistant to deer
Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) 7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)
On Jan 5, 2007, ladyschweig from Culpeper, VA (Zone 6b) wrote:
I bought two small pots of "Hot Lips" late last Spring. They were very cute. When the blooms decreased I was disappointed...until late summer and into the fall. The plants would not stop growing or blooming! I was so impressed I searched for more. I found a "Cherry Sage" that made a very nice partner. I now have develped a rage for sage and I am searching for a variety of colors. Hot Lips is still very dear to me, though.
On Nov 19, 2006, Marilynbeth from Hebron, KY wrote:
Grew it for the first time this season (found it at Lowe's) and I love it! It got more beautiful as season progressed. I don't know if I'll get any volunteers from it, but if it doesn't winter over, then I'll have to look and find another.
On Jun 9, 2006, lunavox from Seattle, WA (Zone 8b) wrote:
I live in metro Seattle, and I saw a hummingbird visit my container garden for the first time EVER to eat nectar from this salvia. Hummingbirds have been coming by regularly in the evening since this started blooming a month ago. It's great. :)
On Jun 8, 2006, JamesCO from Grand Junction, CO (Zone 7a) wrote:
10F? Not true. A friend outside of town (average ten degrees cooler in the winter) on a windy hill grows her Salvia 'Hot Lips' in a Xeric Garden. I waited curiously over winter to see if they would return; Two of two have indeed survived a winter that saw at least 0F on her hill. Dry winters may help.
It blooms well with little water. Summer heat (100F+) and drought are not impairments. Most flowers are nearly pure carmine, some are "lipped."
On Feb 2, 2005, librarianlanell from Spring, TX wrote:
The 28 degree dips during the winter didn't even phase this plant (just north of Houston.) Mine are planted in semi-shade in well drained soil. They get tons of water one month and none the next and look great!
On May 24, 2004, clantonnaomi from Iredell, TX wrote:
This plant is definitely hardy in Zone 8 - central Texas. I have had mine for a couple of years and they have not even died back to the ground. A wonderful salvia and the red and white blooms are so unusual!
On May 23, 2004, kviolette from Raleigh, NC (Zone 8a) wrote:
This plant is more cold hardy than indicated above. It wintered over in Raleigh, NC (Zone 7b/8a) after being planted in October. No winter protection other than whatever leaves fell onto it and was not cut back until April. It did die back nearly to the ground but it is growing fine now. Much more mature plants came through winter in the area with little die back.
On Jan 3, 2004, poozak from New Braunfels, TX wrote:
What a great plant in Deer Country. I drove away from our one gallon, planted a year ago and we never did a thing to keep it alive during the six month's absence. Big bushy three-footer now. I love this plant and plan to grow a bunch of it. Have fun! P.
On Aug 27, 2003, Happenstance from (Zone 10a) wrote:
As the season progresses the flowers will be red/white, solid red, pinky red. This is normal for this cultivar and the same branches will also make the bi-color flowers. Makes for a real show of color.
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Auburn, Alabama Queen Creek, Arizona Cabot, Arkansas Citrus Heights, California Clayton, California Fairfield, California Irvine, California Los Angeles, California Oakley, California San Jose, California San Leandro, California Shingletown, California Stockton, California Grand Junction, Colorado Wilmington, Delaware Brooksville, Florida Gainesville, Florida Lake City, Florida Niceville, Florida Pensacola, Florida Riverview, Florida Cordele, Georgia South Amana, Iowa Hebron, Kentucky Albuquerque, New Mexico Elizabeth City, North Carolina Fuquay Varina, North Carolina Morehead City, North Carolina Raleigh, North Carolina Columbia, South Carolina North Augusta, South Carolina North Charleston, South Carolina Arlington, Texas (2 reports) Bryan, Texas Bulverde, Texas Conroe, Texas Fate, Texas Fort Worth, Texas Garland, Texas Houston, Texas Iredell, Texas Katy, Texas Kerrville, Texas New Braunfels, Texas New Caney, Texas Princeton, Texas Spring, Texas Spring Branch, Texas Kaysville, Utah Arlington, Virginia Brandy Station, Virginia Virginia Beach, Virginia Concrete, Washington Kalama, Washington Marysville, Washington Poulsbo, Washington Seattle, Washington Vancouver, Washington