Salvia Microphylla 'Coral'

Coral Sage / Mountain Sage

Botanical Name: Salvia microphylla ‘Coral’
Family: Lamiaceae
Origin: Mexico and Southwest USA
Plant Type: Evergreen to semi-deciduous perennial shrub

Overview

A compact, heat-loving salvia that performs beautifully in Adelaide’s Mediterranean climate, Salvia microphylla ‘Coral’ produces masses of vibrant coral-pink flowers from spring through autumn. It’s ideal for dry borders, cottage-style gardens, and low-water landscapes, offering months of colour and aromatic foliage that withstands heat, wind, and poor soils. This tough, floriferous variety is loved by pollinators and brings warmth and cheer to any planting scheme.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.6–1.0 m H × 0.6–0.8 m W (rounded, bushy habit)
• Growth Rate: 25-40 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Small, mid- to deep-green aromatic leaves; may show bronze or silvery tints in dry, sunny conditions
• Flowers: Bright coral-pink tubular blooms with darker throats; appear spring through autumn, heaviest in late spring–summer
  
• Seasonal Interest: Nearly year-round display; long bloom period, with evergreen foliage in mild SA winters
• Wildlife Value: Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and nectar-feeding birds (especially honeyeaters)
• Tolerance: Drought-tolerant (once established), heat-tolerant, wind-tolerant, coastal-tolerant (front-line); light frost (protect from hard frost)
• Planting Density: 2–3 plants per m² or 0.5–0.7 m apart for low borders
• Pet Friendly: Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ingesting large amounts of foliage may cause mild tummy upset

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun for best flowering; tolerates light shade but blooms less densely
• Soil: Prefers free-draining sandy or loamy soil; tolerates poor, slightly alkaline or neutral soils common around Adelaide
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; monthly in winter if dry
• Maintenance: Lightly prune after each flowering flush to promote rebloom; hard prune by one-third in late winter to maintain compactness; avoid over-fertilising
• Lifespan: 5–8+ years in suitable conditions
• Climate Zones: Ideal for Mediterranean and temperate SA – thrives across Adelaide plains, Barossa, Fleurieu, and Eyre Peninsula
• Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline (tolerates slightly acid)

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Cottage & Mediterranean Gardens: Mix with Lavender, Gaura, and Santolina for a soft-textured, sun-loving border
• Mass Planting: Use as a drifting colour ribbon through mixed borders or mass on slopes for erosion control and visual impact
• Alfresco & Courtyard Use: Plant in terracotta or ceramic pots near entertaining areas for scent and flower colour
• Dry & Waterwise Gardens: Perfect for gravel gardens, nature strips, and hot banks where minimal watering is desired
• Native & Pollinator Gardens: Blends naturally with Eremophila, Westringia, or Scaevola, providing long nectar availability

Why You Will Love It

A hardy, sun-loving performer with brilliant coral-pink flowers for months on end, Salvia microphylla ‘Coral’ thrives in Adelaide’s heat and dry winds with minimal care. It’s a magnet for pollinators, stays neat with light pruning, and delivers effortless colour from spring well into autumn — making it one of the most rewarding low-water shrubs for South Australian gardens.