Salvia microphylla (baby sage)

Japanese name: チェリーセージ
Scientific name: Salvia microphylla

[Overview]
An evergreen perennial to subshrub 1–1.3 m tall.
It spreads sideways by underground stems, forming a clump about as wide as it is tall.
The stem is square in cross section.
Leaves are simple and opposite, ovate, about 2 cm long, with toothed margins.
The leaves and flowers have a sweet fragrance.
The flowers are borne sparsely on long flower spikes; they are deep red and lipped, with a large, rounded lower lip that spreads widely.

[Uses]
The flowers and leaves are used in potpourri.
In Mexico it is cultivated as a medicinal herb and is also drunk as tea.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by division or cuttings.
It tolerates temperatures down to -5°C, and even if the aboveground parts die back in winter, it will sprout again in spring as long as the roots do not freeze.
If freezing is a concern, protect plants in the ground by, for example, laying straw around the base, and bring potted plants indoors.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained, fertile site.
In poor light it may become leggy and weak, and flowering is poor.
For potted plants, water thoroughly from spring to autumn when the soil surface dries, and keep it on the dry side in winter.
For plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
Fertilizer is not particularly necessary if a base fertilizer is applied.
It is hardy, but it dislikes summer heat and humidity, and if the plant becomes stuffy the inner and lower leaves may die, so thin out crowded branches to improve ventilation.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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