Salvia microphylla 'Rodbaston Red'

RHS Plant Profile

baby sage 'Rodbaston Red'

Shrubs

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A bushy sub-shrub to about 90cm tall, evergreen in mild locations, with small, aromatic leaves. Vivid, pinkish-red flowers in short spikes are borne from summer to late autumn. This plant was shortlisted for the Plant Heritage Threatened Plant of the Year 2025

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Salvia can be annuals, biennials, herbaceous or evergreen perennials, or shrubs. They have paired, simple or pinnately lobed, often aromatic leaves and 2-lipped flowers in whorls, forming simple or branched spikes or racemes
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in light, moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Needs sheltered position but usually overwinters if given full sun and good drainage. Drought tolerant and attractive to pollinating insects

Propagation

Propagate by basal cuttings or softwood cuttings in spring or early summer or semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer or autumn with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 9, cut back spent flower spikes to prolong flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and sage leafhopper

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots