Some plants are pretty. This one is downright playful. Baby Sage ‘Hot Lips’ is a vigorous, bushy evergreen shrub from the mint family, beloved for its ever-changing bicoloured blooms and aromatic foliage. The small, ovate, bright green leaves release a pleasant minty-blackcurrant scent when brushed. From late spring right through until the first frosts, it becomes smothered in iconic, two-lipped flowers that appear in a striking combination of red and white. Here’s the magic: in summer heat, the blooms may flash solid red, while cooler months see them return to the classic red upper lip and pure white lower lip—often all at once on the same plant.
Native to Mexico, this adaptable and resilient plant has found a perfect home in the Western Cape’s Mediterranean climate. It thrives in full sun, needing at least 6–8 hours of direct light to produce its best floral show. It demands well-drained soil and, once established, is remarkably drought-tolerant and water-wise, handling coastal conditions with ease. It is hardy to light frost, though it appreciates a protected spot in colder inland valleys. Its rounded, well-branched habit reaches about 1m tall and wide, making it a superb, hard-working plant for borders, mixed beds, large containers, or as a vibrant, long-lasting accent.
Key Features:
- Iconic bicolour blooms that change with the seasons—red and white, sometimes all at once
- Aromatic minty-blackcurrant scent when leaves are brushed
- Water-wise and heat-tolerant once established
- A magnet for bees, butterflies, and sunbirds
Gardening Note: Plant in well-drained soil in full sun for the most prolific and colourful flower display. Water regularly until established; mature plants are highly drought-tolerant. Prune back fairly hard in late winter or early spring to remove old growth, shape the plant, and encourage dense, fresh new growth. No deadheading needed—it’s self-cleaning.
