About
Hot Trumpets' is a compact, woody-based perennial which is sometimes grown as an annual, reaching to around 30cm tall with rounded to heart-shaped, dark green aromatic leaves. Tubular, two-lipped, bright red flowers are borne on short spikes from summer into autumn.
About the 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
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Coastal, Mediterranean climate plants
FragranceFoliage
Care notes
CultivationGrow in light, moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Best in full sun in a sheltered position but can tolerate light partial shade. Or grow in a container under glass
PruningRemove flower spikes as they fade to prolong flowering
PropagationPropagate by softwood or semi-ripe cuttings
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), powdery mildews, verticillium wilt and foot and root rots