Salvia involucrata (roseleaf sage)

Japanese name: ローズリーフセージ
Scientific name: Salvia involucrata

[Overview]
An evergreen subshrub 90–120 cm tall.
The leaves are simple and opposite, ovate, 5–10 cm long.
The leaf margin is entire or has rounded teeth.
A verticillaster arises at the stem tip.
The inflorescence is at first enclosed in pinkish red bracts and is spherical.
The flowers open from the bottom of the inflorescence, and the bracts fall off as the flowers open.
The flowers are pink to red and lip-shaped, with hairs on the outside of the upper lip.
The calyx is also pink to red, with red veins.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by shoot cuttings.
It tolerates temperatures down to -5°C, and even if the aboveground part dies 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 laying straw around the base, and bring potted plants indoors.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained place.
In poor light it may become leggy and weak, and flowering is also poorer.
For potted plants, from spring to autumn water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, and keep on the dry side in winter.
For plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
If base fertilizer is applied, no further fertilizing is particularly necessary.
It dislikes the heat and humidity of summer, 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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